Matters concerning water system improvements and the city’s HOME project were handled by the Eupora Board of Aldermen on June 1. After receiving an update from board attorney Jacqueline Meek, aldermen approved two motions for land purchases in connection with water system improvements. One motion authorized payment to property owner Shirley Gary of the $1,500 appraised value of a 1.33-acre lot and easement near Grady where a water well and generator will be located. The other authorized payment to property owner Ed Snyder of the $6,600 appraised value for the lot and easement off West Gould Avenue where an elevated water storage tank will be erected. Funds for both purchases will come out of the Water Department. U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development approved a $3.73 million low-interest loan to the city last fall to improve water infrastructure, including the new well and tank. HOME Project Two companies submitted proposals for asbestos and lead-based paint inspectors in connection with the 2016 HOME Grant to rehabilitate four deteriorated houses in the city. After rating the proposals on qualifications, experience in similar projects and capacity to do work in a timely manner, the board approved AEC (Advanced Environmental Consultants) of Jackson to perform the inspections based on ranking scores. Additionally, the board voted to accept a proposal from Cook-Allen Engineers & Surveyors of Eupora to survey the HOME Grant properties. The board received two property surveyor proposals in November, one from Calvert-Spradling Engineers and the other from Cook-Allen. After rating both proposals, Calvert-Spradling totaled 450 points and Cook-Allen totaled 449. The board chose Calvert-Spradling for the property surveyor for the HOME Grant program. However, George Crawford of the Golden Triangle Planning and Development District, told aldermen last week that Calvert-Spradling had since advised him it would be unable to do the surveys. He requested that the board accept Cook-Allen’s proposal instead. Other Business Also last week, the board approved Mayor Lamar Dumas to serve as the 2020 voting delegate for the Mississippi Municipal League second vice president election and Jerry Gary (at-large) as the alternate at the MML’s annual conference Sept. 1-3. During department head reports, Police Chief Gregg Hunter said Prishon Wofford is scheduled to go to trial June 22 in Webster County Circuit Court on a charge of aggravated assault with deadly weapon. Wofford, 19, was indicted in the December 2018 shooting of Bronzeman Watson at Early Grove Apartments on Highway 9 North in the city. Hunter also said activity is picking up at Whites Creek Lake, with collections from boat launch and camping/RV fees averaging $600 every two weeks. Fire Chief Tyler Bierdeman said the Fire Department had seven calls last month and was to resume meetings last Thursday. The department’s meeting had been canceled in April until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic. Aldermen present June 1 were Gary, Junior Shaw (Ward 1) and Howard Rumore (Ward 2). The board adjourned until 6 p.m. July 6. City Hall will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday.
