DAILY LEADER / JULIA PENDLEY / Mayor Joe Cox congratulates the healthy hometown committee after Brookhaven was named the healthiest hometown in Mississippi by Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation. The award accompanies a $50,000 grant toward health-focused initiatives.

The board of aldermen accepted the retirement of Willie Smith from the solid waste department Tuesday night.

Smith, former superintendent of the city’s solid waste department, was suspended from the solid waste department with pay April 17 after Smith was charged with simple assault.

Smith was charged with hitting Steve Moreton, the Brookhaven Public Works director, in the parking lot by the Lincoln County-Brookhaven Government Complex.

Smith was recently convicted of the crime and announced his voluntary retirement after the case was finalized, according to Joe Fernald, city attorney.

The aldermen’s vote was 4-0 to accept Smith’s retirement plans with Ward One alderman Randy Belcher, Ward Two alderman Terry Bates and Ward Three alderman Mary L. Wilson removing themselves from the room during the vote.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, officials discussed smoke testing being done on city water and sewer lines.

Water and Sewer Superintendent Keith Lewis said, “We are trying to raise awareness.” He said that the department uses smoke bombs and fans in the sewer to take a survey of the systems. The smoke will show if there are any cracks or broken pipes that need to be repaired.

The smoke testing is on South 51 Street, Margaret Street and Natchez Avenue.

The city tests the pipes by blowing smoke through the manholes in town and watching and waiting to see if and where the smoke begins to leak.

City officials said the smoke is not harmful, and it will also give residents within the city an idea if there is a leak in the pipes of their home.

If a resident’s home has no leaking pipes, the smoke from the testing will be vented and leave the home from the top. If the resident notices smoke coming into their home, it is an indication of a cracked and leaking pipe that needs to be attended to.

Officials say that this is the beginning of testing and that more testing will be underway in the near future to ensure the safety of the system.

Ward Five alderman Fletcher Grice also added his support of Lewis and the testing. “Keith and the department are doing a great job mapping this out and putting it to work,” said Grice.

The board also heard a complaint from Jeanette Newton, a concerned citizen, on the progress of the trash pick-up in the aftermath of the storm. Newton further stated the area around Cloverdale Street needed to have the trash removed from around and off the streets before the limbs and debris rotted.

“I do not necessarily live in the ward with the problem, but I am just trying to be a good citizen and hold the city’s clean-up crew accountable,” said Newton.

Mayor Joe Cox assured Newton the clean-up process was still ongoing, and the crew would get to the area in due time. Cox also added the clean-up crew works in “waves,” and their first objective was to clear the high-traffic streets and work their way toward the others.

Alderman David Phillips reminded those present that the city’s residents will be voting on a 2 percent tax lodging tax on July 8, to be used for tourism and economic advancement for Brookhaven.

Cox also revealed a plaque commemoratating Brookhaven’s success on being awarded the Healthiest Hometown in Mississippi by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation.

“This is quite an honor, and we would not have received this award had it not been for the hard work of the people over this initiative,” said Cox.

Although the plans for the funds have not been determined yet, the award comes with a grant of $50,000 to continue projects that support and encourage healthy lifestyles in Brookhaven.

New Healthy Hometown Committee members were also added to represent the initiative at the local Brookhaven Farmer’s Market.

In other business, the board:

• Accepted the resignation of Quantivious Allen from the Street Department.

• Accepted the retirement of William Butler from the Street Department.

• Approved hiring Chris Hester as an uncertified firefighter.

• Approved hiring Eric Washington as a temporary full-time employee in the Cemetery Department.

• Approved the reinstatement of Michael Smith in the Street Department.

• Approved Cox, City Clerk Mike Jinks, Deputy Clerks, Marsha Fairman and Samantha Melancon attending the Phelps Dunbar MS Labor and Employment Law Conference.

• Approved Kelly Porter and Mark Porter attending a health and safety class.

• Approved awarding an off-road diesel bid to James Case.

• Reappointed Joe Fernald as city attorney.

The board will meet again on July 15.