Poplarville’s Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday evening began by discussing the water line on Old Wiggins Highway, which desperately needs repairs.

Walker and Associates Engineer Jason Lamb said repairs on the water line have been discussed since 2009. Despite this, however, Board members expressed concern that the repairs would be too extensive and that funding would not be available. City Clerk Jane O’ Neal recommended that the repairs be put on hold until Oct. 1, so that it could be fit into the new budget.

When the urgency of the repairs was brought into question, Public Works Superintendent Sam Hale said that repairs are needed every week.

“There’s so many leaks that occur, when there’s nothing else we’re out on Old Wiggins Highway” Hale said.

Concerns were raised that water loss costs might exceed the quoted repair costs if the work was postponed until October.

Ultimately, a motion was passed to take the matter under advisement.  The matter will be addressed again at the next meeting when O’Neal has had a chance to review funding and the related costs.

Jason Lamb also provided the Board with an update on the construction of the new public works facility, saying that plans have unfortunately been put on hold during the past week due to the weather. There is hope that on February 20 the construction contract will be transferred from HRL to Stewart Development. Once the contract is turned over to Stewart Development, crews will be able to proceed with pouring the foundation.

“A lot of things are lining up once the weather breaks,” Lamb said.

Advertisement for phase two of the construction of the City Square Park was approved after the Board debated electrical costs. Concerns were raised over the lack of illumination in the park. Currently, there is only one streetlight on the property, which provides sparse lighting at best, Lamb said. However, Board members were concerned that if too many aspects were added to phase two, the plan might carry over from the 2018 budget into the next fiscal year.

While electrical work has not been included in the budget for phase two, Lamb says that the installation of conduits below sidewalks and parking spaces will allow for updates to the electrical systems in future phases.

Additional work will be required to overlay surrounding streets. Streets will be changed from two-way to one-way and will be repaved with approximately 70 tons of asphalt.