The Webster Progress-Times

Eupora aldermen accepted a recommended plan for a sewer line replacement project at a special called meeting on Oct. 17.

Stanley Spradling of Calvert-Spradling Engineers appeared before the city board after having been asked to take a second look at the project. The board had voted in July to approve a loan resolution authorizing the borrowing of up to $476,000 by the city from USDA Rural Development for sewer improvements.

Spradling met with the board in September to offer recommendations that could reduce the project size and cost after he and Benny Neal, city water/wastewater superintendent, isolated problem areas. The board at that time authorized Calvert-Spradling to rework the previous estimate.

Spradling presented two plans last week for line replacement from the Hodges Street pumping station to Mt. Vernon Road, as originally proposed, or to West Clark Avenue. Although the latter option would cost about $70,000 less, Spradling recommended a plan to replace about 4,650 feet of line to Mt. Vernon Road at the estimated cost of $476,000.

He made this recommendation because of a significant amount of erosion at the lagoon, which he said will have to be addressed. By accepting the costlier plan, Spradling said any leftover funds could be applied toward the lagoon work.

City Clerk Lesa Hardin said the city could manage the loan payments on the recommended plan, which the board did vote to accept.

Also meeting with the board from Calvert-Spradling was engineer John Freeman, who discussed previously opened bids for the installation of medium-security lighting at the city airport. The board had tabled acceptance of a bid for the grant-funded work because of concerns about the low bidder, DeSoto Electrical of Grenada and Hernando.

Its base bid of $69,920 was about $30,000 lower than the next lowest bid. Freeman said references he checked with all recommended the company and said it was qualified. He added that the contractor's bid was so low because he needed work and not because he was trying to cut corners.

"Everything's in order," he said.

The board voted to accept DeSoto Electrical's bid as recommended and received Freeman's assurance that he would inspect the project periodically.

In other business last week, aldermen:

€ heard an update on Webster County Development Council activities from Executive Director Cynthia Wilson.

She informed the board that plans are being made to pursue an Appalachian Regional Commission grant to fund a feasibility study to determine if it is economically feasible to reopen C&G Railroad.

Webster, Montgomery, Carroll and Leflore counties, and possibly Clay, will be involved in a Nov. 18 meeting with railroad officials concerning the future of the rail line, she said.

A follow-up trip to Washington is planned to request funding to either reopen the rail line or, if it is officially abandoned, to place it in the Rails to Trails program as a recreational trail. She noted that as a regional effort, providing matching funds for the latter project would not be such a burden on the entities involved.

€ accepted a mutual aid fire protection contract with Webster County.

€ tabled consideration of a vicious dog ordinance until the board's next regular meeting on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.

€ went into executive session to discuss police personnel issues, a matter that was placed on the agenda by Jack Haney (at large). No related action was taken after the board came back into open session 30 minutes later.

Dan Burchfield (Ward 2) was absent.