In an effort to proceed with upgrades to the town green and renovations to the public works building, the Poplarville Board of Aldermen signed engineering agreements for both projects during Tuesday’s meeting.
Jason Lamb, an engineer with Walker & Associates, addressed the Board about the agreements so the projects could be placed out for bids to begin construction.
Lamb said he hopes the Board will be able to evaluate those bids in June and begin construction later this summer.
The Board previously appointed committees for each project to finalize designs and funding priorities. Those committees will continue to meet in order to fine-tune the projects.
In a separate matter, the Board approved three mobile home renewals located on South McGehee Street, Spruce Street and North Hughes Street, respectively.
Poplarville Code Enforcement Officer Guy Rae Holston also said the debris has yet to be removed behind the shopping center on North Main Street and Jacobs Street.
Board Attorney Nick Thompson said the property owner has 17 days left to address the problem before the city takes action, as was discussed during the previous Board meeting.
Alderwoman Maggie Smith asked Holston to remove temporary signs placed along Highway 11 between Pearl River Community College and the intersection of Highway 26.
The signs advertise out-of-town businesses and violate city ordinances, she said.
The Board also voted to set public hearings for properties on 304 North Main Street, 800 North Main Street and 814 South Julia Street to declare them as a public nuisance.
The public hearings were set for May 16.
In an ongoing code enforcement matter, Poplarville Mayor Brad Necaise said he is still attempting to come to an agreement between the city and the family of Mary Barron, of 107 Poplar Drive regarding the removal of a mobile home.
Previously, the family agreed to let the city conduct a controlled burn of the property in exchange for the family removing the debris.
A contract has yet to be signed finalizing the agreement.
Poplarville Fire Chief Jonathan Head said the department began testing hydrants in the city and will continue the effort through the month of June.
Head also addressed concerns and questions raised about the city’s emergency sirens after recent storms passed through the area.
The city maintains two storm sirens that alert residents to imminent danger, Head said.
One siren is located at Poplarville High School and the other is located behind the Poplarville Post Office, he said.
In an effort to ensure citizens are aware of the severity of an oncoming storm, the sirens are only used when a severe storm is coming toward the city, and not during bad weather.
More information about Tuesday’s Board meeting will be published in tomorrow’s Item.