It was with a noticeable reluctance Tuesday that the Wesson Board of Alderman voted to accept the resignation of Public Works Director Mark Brown after he was offered a position in Madison.

“Mark Brown has got another position, and you can’t blame him for taking it,” Wesson Mayor Alton Shaw said.

Brown has been public works director for 14 years, and the board also recognized Brown for his achievements. In 2010, Wesson was recognized for having the best water in Mississippi.

Brown’s resignation will take effect Oct. 15.

Shaw said public works will continue to operate as usual, but finding a replacement for Brown’s administrative expertise is a priority for the town.

“As the water and sewer operator, the Department of Health has certain requirements that we have to meet,” Shaw said.

In the meantime, Shaw said Brown was willing to continue to work for the city under a $2,500 per month contract until the town could find a more permanent solution. Before the board can approve that, city attorney Jeff Varas must check the maximum amount allowed for contracts without having to go through the bidding process.

“We will also go ahead and solicit some bids,” Shaw said. “The question is whether we can just list them or actually have to do an advertising bid.”

New app underway for

Wesson residents

The board approved a $2,000 contract with the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District to implement a new app for the town and its residents.

Shaw said the new app will allow officials to accurately monitor and respond to residents’ requests submitted through the app. It will also give officials a way to inform residents when issues arise.

“One thing that makes my ears boil and turn red more than anything is to see a request come and then a second request come in,” he said.

Shaw said the town occasionally has to delay a request, but the town should always inform the resident when and why it happens.

“People understand that,” Shaw said. “They don’t understand not being contacted at all.”

Shaw said he wasn’t sure when work would begin on the app, but that it would likely be within a 90-day period of approving the contract.

In other business:

• Troy Floyd was hired full time by the Wesson Police Department.

• Linda Dykes was approved for her annual court clerk training.

• To allow easier cleanup after tenants leave a rental property, the water ordinance was revised to allow property owners to have the water turned on for 72 hours with the use of up to 2,000 gallons for a flat fee of $15. Owners who go over 2,000 gallons will be billed at the normal rate.