A public hearing about properties that are in such a state of uncleanliness or disrepair and whether the city will intervene will be held on Sept. 22 at 5:30 p.m.

City Inspector David Fearn addressed the board on the public hearing during the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen’s meeting Tuesday evening. The board will hold the public hearing, which will determine whether parcels of land are in such a state as to be a menace to public health and safety of the community, in the City of Brookhaven Boardroom at the Lincoln County Government Complex. The list of properties has been advertised in The Daily Leader and the public and property owners are encouraged to attend and discuss the outcome of the properties.

There are parcels of land in question throughout the city including on Turner Street, South Second Street, West Enterprise Street, Washington Street, Franklin Street and East Chippewa.

Brignall Water System

Brookhaven Mayor Joe Cox said after a long, complicated process, the city has finalized the purchase of the Brignall Water System from the Lincoln Rural Water Association.

“It’s been a long process but we’re glad to get that behind us,” Cox said.

This acquisition has been in the works for years, but the Board of Aldermen gave it a push in January of this year.

Brookhaven Water and Sewer Superintendent Keith Lewis said in January the push to purchase the system comes from the fact that the Brignall community is now within city limits making it more sensible for its water and sewer to be handled by the city. Tacked on the agreement to purchase the water system comes the handling of the Brignall Sewer System as well, though that is still in the works.

In the past, whenever the Brignall Water System and Brignall Sewer System has had a problem, officials from the community would have to contact repairing entities on their own. With the purchase of the systems, the city would be able to take care of all repairs, problems or concerns regarding water and sewer.

“Anytime you have a sewer problem, it’s a big deal,” Lewis said. “If we can take care of sewer problems that’d be a plus for everybody.”

Car show

Rusty Prestridge and Aaron Brister of Union Baptist Church addressed the board on the Second Annual Car Show fundraiser in the Railroad Park parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 24. All of the proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards a youth trip. The city granted permission for the event as scheduled.

City audit

The city received the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2014. City Clerk Mike Jinks said there were no substantial findings, and the city is in good financial condition.

The board also approved:

• The termination of Richard Kelly from the cemetery department because he went back to school.

• The beer permit for The G Spot located at 790 Zetus Road to sell beer for consumption.

• Payment to Red Oak Construction for the replacement of fire hydrants in the cost of $65,440.

The board then entered into executive session for the stated purpose of personnel and contract negotiations. While discussion of personnel related issues can be conducted in executive session, “contract negotiations” isn’t an exemption to the state’s Open Meetings Act, and the board should not have entered executive session for that reason without being more specific, according to Mississippi Press Association attorney Leonard Van Slyke.

Aldermen Ward 3 Mary Wilson was absent.