The Brookhaven Board of Aldermen once again talked trash at its most recent meeting. Garbage pickup around the City is delayed, but a persistent trash problem is being addressed, and the rubbish pit project is on track.

“If possible, this week was the worst week for garbage pickup,” Alderman-at-large Don Underwood said. Citizens across town had complained of missed or delayed pickups for household garbage.

“Did [ADSI] employees walk off?” Ward 2 Alderman Shannon Moore asked.

Mayor Joe Cox nodded and said, “Employees walked off.”

“What are they doing to do in the meantime?” asked Moore.

“They are bringing in workers from Meridian and Natchez to cover it,” the mayor said. “We may be a day behind, or two, so y’all hang in there.”

The City’s contract with Arrow Disposal Services Inc. (ADSI) ends Sept. 30. The new contract begins Oct. 1, with Waste Management.

Ward 1 Alderman James Magee Jr. told his fellow board members that a persistent trash problem at an Old Wesson Road trailer park had been addressed.

“The owner has invested $12,000 for a dump trailer and has order two garbage bins to be placed there,” Magee said. “Donnie King [with Magnolia Disposal Service] will pick up the trash.”

WGK Engineer Mike McKenzie informed the City’s leaders that the rubbish pit project on County Farm Lane “has another 30-45 days for it to be closed, covered up, grassed, and never be spoken of again.”

McKenzie also said two projects — the Oak Hill subdivision water extension, and the repainting of a water tank — will each have bid openings Sept. 10, and work on both will begin in early October.

 

Speed humps, truck beds, and family funds

The city-wide paving project will undergo its final inspection on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Areas such as Natchez Avenue have been repaved and striped, as well as had necessary shoulder and drainage work completed.

Dungan Engineering project engineer Joshua Davis told the Board they were looking at possible options to speed humps around the city, since some “are not really holding up to traffic.” He said the police and fire departments have been asked to review the proposed placement of new humps on several streets, to avoid any likely conflicts.

The Public Works Department recently took delivery of a pickup that had been ordered in 2023 by the previous department director. Apparently, there was a misunderstanding of what was included, according to current Director Kris Xifos. What arrived was a cab and chassis, but no bed.

“The truck is a Ford F-350, used in the tree department,” Xifos said. “We’ll be pulling heavy equipment with it.”

Xifos asked for approval of a $6,700 bid from Fielder’s Pro Shop for a flat bed to be installed. He said it would work for them as well as a regular bed, and an older bed from another truck that would fit the new one was not available for transfer. Aldermen unanimously approved the purchase.

Ward 5 Alderman Fletcher Grice asked the Board to continue to remember the family of fallen officer Troy Floyd, noting that a fund had been set up for them at Bank of Brookhaven.

 

In other business, the Board:

• Awarded the off-road diesel bid to James Case Oil at $2.79.9.
• Received the July Fire Department report showing 34 runs in the city and three runs outside city limits.
• Approved to adopt and adhere to the State and Federal guidelines for purchasing.
• Approved Summary Change Order #1 and Final on MCWI/ARPA Waterline Extension Project in added amount of $14,467.
• Approved pay request #2 to Greenbriar Digging Service in the amount of $23,058.75 for work completed on the 2024 MCWI/ARPA Contract 1 Water System improvements.
• Approved to spread on the minutes the FY2024 Brookhaven School District budget request.
• Approved Public Works Director Kris Xifos to attend the America Public Works Association in Biloxi on Oct. 16-18. City will pay $300 registration cost and lodging, plus reimburse for meals and mileage.
• Approved a promotion for Police Sergeant Detective Investigator 1 Jonathan Hart to Investigator 2 at $49,000 annually, effective Aug. 22 at the completion of investigator training.