By Rupert Howell

Batesville’s Gas Department Superintendent William Wilson’s recommendation to proceed with placing a gas line at Covenant Crossing before construction begins on a proposed hotel was approved just prior to approval of two variances recommended by the City’s Planning Commission for that facility’s construction.

The action occurred at the Tuesday, July 5 meeting of Batesville’s board of mayor and aldermen and followed several years of anticipation of rumored construction there.

Vijay and Mike Vaghela with Bhalvi, Inc. had earlier requested extra time to build a sidewalk and also to build a parapet wall that extends higher than building regulations allow. Their family company owns several lodging establishments in the area.

Prior to the board’s approval, Wilson was questioned about laying the line and explained that a nearby high pressure line would have to be “tapped” and valve installed, but that his department could complete the remainder of the project. Wilson also reminded the board that the gas line expansion had been previously budgeted.

The three-story Comfort Suites hotel will abut I-55 on the northeast quadrant of its intersection with Highway 6/278.

Board members also approved re-appointment of Kim LaVergne and Terry Townsend to the Planning Commission’s board.

Licensing Commission member Richard Cook was also reappointed during the July 5 meeting and BPD Officer Shawn Dalton’s promotion to the rank of sergeant was approved.

A request to advertise for a full-time assistant director and foreman positions at Batesville Civic Center was taken under advisement with no action taken during last Tuesday’s meeting.

City officials approved Water and Sewer Department Superintendent Mike Ross’s recommendation to raise the price of construction meters to $800. Ross explained that the cost of water used often amounts to more than the current deposit of $500 causing one construction company to just take the meter with them.

Board members also approved Ross’s request for a new generator transfer switch at the Wal-Mart station in the amount of $3,800.

Bids ranging from $55,720 to $83,765 were opened for 10” PVC water pipe to be used in a line running to the Highway 35 industrial site.

After the bids were taken under advisement, Ross stated that two of the lowest bids did not include all specified components.

Engineer Blake Mendropp reported that asphalt had been laid on Eureka Street Extended and gave four options for dealing with a large culvert on Woodland Drive before that road is overlayed.

“I would hate to overlay it and then cut it up,” Mendropp said but one of his options was to, “Pave it and deal with it later.”

One undesirable option mentioned was to slide a smaller culvert into the current culvert. That option would allow less water to flow and complicate an existing drainage problem.

Technology is available to line a damaged culvert with a material that would attach itself to and strengthen the existing culvert. Mendropp said that technology was too expensive estimating the cost at over $100,000.

Mendropp estimated a cost of $50,000 to have a contractor replace the large culvert and gave another estimate of $30,000-$40,000 if the city bought and replaced the culvert with their crews.

City Clerk Laura P. Herron asked, “Don’t we want to get the fountain fixed?”

She was referring to the fountain near the War Memorial on Batesville’s Square. Although no definite action was taken, board members did give Pearl Embrey permission to use the city owned Old Episcopal Church on Panola Avenue for a wedding on November 11.

A request for  the Town of Sunflower to use the fire safety trailer and to transfer a 1999 Crown Victoria to the Town of Courtland was approved as requested by Fire Chief Tim Taylor. Taylor also requested a salary adjustment for a fireman whose status went from probationary to part-time.

A list of elected fire department officers was discussed as a personnel issue before one part-time fireman was recommended for dismissal.

Another issue discussed during the closed-door session included negotiations for property owned by the city. Board members also discussed and agreed to place a moratorium on a sign ordinance that had drawn  attention during the election season.

The press and visitors were made aware of the issues to be discussed prior to the board going into executive session and the board’s attorney addressed all action taken following the two hour closed-door meet.