Sardis hoping to renovate water tanks

By Myra Bean

The Sardis Mayor and Board of Aldermen is considering signing a contract with Suez to maintain the town’s water towers and keep them in for compliance of Mississippi state law.

The state sets water standards for public water tanks.

Tracy Fearnley of Suez recommended a full renovation for the industrial tanks and the rainwater tank. The primer base of the tanks, he said, was found to contain lead.

However, during the tests, the water tested safe, according to Fearnley. The company will blast the tanks all the way down, repaint and repair and maintain the tanks for the life of the contract.

The interior repairs will be started during year one and the outsides will be started in year three, Fearnley proposed.

“As long as you are in our program, we will take care of the tank,” Fearnley told the board.

He passed out a sheet with a breakdown of costs, but the media was not supplied a copy. Talk during the special board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 11, said some figures were close to a million dollars.

This company also takes care of the Pope-Courtland tanks.

Tourism coordinator Greg Davis told the board this is a reputable and reliable company.

“You will get the interior fixed in year one and the water quality in year one. The prettiness will come in year three,” Davis said.

The project will be completely covered by money left in last year’s budget, according to Davis.

MDWFP Walking Trails

The Sardis Board of Aldermen voted to 3-0-1 to approve the add-ons for the Town of Sardis and Panola County for the total walking trail project. Alderman JoJo Still abstained and Alderwoman Bonnie Smith was not present.

David Evans, engineer, was given permission to advertise for bids for the walking trail.

Sardis Lake Project

The board went into executive session with Panola Partnership executive director Joe Azar to discuss the Sardis Lake Project. Alderman-at-large Michael Price said they agreed that Davis and others would approach Wagner about a longer lease for the project land.

Facade Grant

Davis reported people downtown wanted to take advantage of the Facade Grant which was disbanded a while back. The verbiage has been changed from architectural to graphic.

The grants are up to $1,000 each. The board adopted to designate the grant usage for the Main Street program.

The board voted to designate the Sardis Chamber of Commerce and the Panola Partnership as economic development partners as they are local economic development partners being non-profit organizations who promote local and business events.

Budget Amendment

The budget was amended to move $15,500 from reserve to the general fund under professional services to pay for things like inspections.

They moved $200,000 from the water fund to pay for tanks.

They transferred $22,000 from tourism for the Sardis Lake project.

United Solutions

Azar appeared before the board to give them an update on the United Solutions news that 100 jobs will be added to the company, based in Sardis. He apologized for the lateness in approaching the board as the company released information to the media before Azar could tell the board what was happening.

The company will have a total of 170 job positions with the 70 already there.

911 Emergency

Price resigned from the 911 Emergency Board, citing he did not have time to attend the monthly meeting. Mitchell Daughterty, fire chief, was appointed in his place.