By Rupert Howell
Officials for the Town of Sardis tabled a plan to put automatic reading water meters on the town’s water system during the monthly meeting of the board of mayor and aldermen Tuesday at City Hall.

Nathan Mothershed of Upchurch Plumbing had earlier contacted the city and study the probability and economics involved along with possibility for available grants.

“Would you be terribly upset if we tabled it for a little while?” Alderman-at-large Roy Scallorn asked Mothershed before making a motion.

North Delta Planning and Development District representative Jeff Walters had told the Sardis board just minutes prior that a sewer project would rate higher and have a better chance of receiving funding.

Walters said an application for a grant to improve the water system failed to qualify during the previous round and that was not much the city could do to, “bring the water application up,” explaining that only parts of the town would qualify for the assisting grant.

Walters also explained that the sewer project would be ranked on Department of Environmental Quality reports where the water project was ranked on Department of Health Regulations.

City officials agreed to begin the grant application process by holding a public hearing and allowing North Delta to administer the application. Aldermen also agreed for City Engineer David Evans to take premliminary steps for completing the application as the application is due the week of May 12-16.

Evans later told the board that work on the present sewer will begin as soon as weather allows. The city will have 3,100 feet of sewer “scoped” with cameras and cleared with “jets” as well as roots cut from pipes.

The mayor and board also agreed on a settlement with former City Clerk Odessa Johnson’s bonding company that repays the city $31,081.26 in restitution for illegally obtained city funds.
A budget amendment was included that would allow the police department to purchase two rifles, sights and handguns for the department.

Police Chief Chris Martin explained funds for the purchases came from donations, court fees and recently sold surplus equipment.

The board later went into executive session to discuss police personnel matters before voting to hire Michael Purdy as part time policeman.

Some of the other business during Tuesday’s meeting included approving travel for various city employees attending training including Clerk Mary McDowell, Deputy Clerk Jeanne Davis and Public Works Director Troyce McDowell.

City officials also approved permission for a St. Jude Walk-A-Mile fundraiser scheduled for this Saturday.