If someone wants to be heard by the Brookhaven Board of Aldermen, they need to set it up the week before the elected officials meet.

Aldermen approved the change Tuesday night. Anyone who wants to address the board on the first and third Tuesdays each month must be added to the agenda by noon on the Thursday prior to the meeting. That’s done at City Clerk Samantha Melancon’s office in the Lincoln County Government Complex.

It’s not really a change in the way meetings should be conducted, Mayor Joe Cox said.

“This has been the protocol the board has followed since 1997,” he said. “The board officially adopted the procedures conducting board meetings to ensure the meetings are productive and efficient.”

Approved speakers are limited to five minutes unless the board votes to allow more time. 

To be considered, guests must list what the topic is to be discussed and the subject matter and list any exhibits that will be presented to the board. The board reserves the right to deny appearances, refer it to executive session or table the appearance.

Lights in the city

Phase 1 of the installation of the new LED lights is nearing completion. Public Works Director Keith Lewis said he is in talks with Entergy to determine where the next lights should go.

“Some of the streets that I’m wanting to add these lights to are Monticello, Main and South Jackson streets. That would take care of a lot areas where people are coming into the city,” Lewis said.

Lewis will present a savings plan at the next board meeting Nov. 7.

Mosquito control

Kris New and Brandon Cobb with Vector International updated the city about the mosquito control program it has in place.

“Everything is going real well since the rain has held off,” Cobb said. “The trap counts have gone down and our spray schedule has continued as usual. We are able to get out there and spray on a regular basis. We haven’t had any problems.”

In other business, aldermen:

• Awarded C & C Cartage of Magee the mulching/vegetative debris contract for the city at $12 a ton. This was the only bid received.

• Approved a fourth pay request from Greenbriar Digging Service for $154,434 for work completed on the 2015 Wastewater Improvements project.

• Approved to accept a general service agreement between WGK Engineering and the city of Brookhaven to perform the community center study, not to exceed $12,000.

• Approved budget revision of ambulance appropriations in the amount of $80,000.

The next board meeting is Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the city board room.