The Choctaw Plaindealer

The Ackerman Board of Aldermen spent the majority of their Feb. 3 board meeting discussing public works issues.

Mayor Dick Cain asked the board's permission to purchase another new lawnmower. A couple of months ago the board set a budget of $20,000 to purchase new lawnmowers after selling their two older models. The Public Works Department purchased one lawnmower and now with spring coming need to purchase the second lawnmower.

The Town has already received bids and discussed the different prices and mowers.

Mike Brasher, Public Works director, said they need a smaller one to use at the cemetery and park.

After more discussion the board approved to purchase a 52 inch Bad Boy for $7,465.

During January, the Public Works department found some large leaks that will require breaking up some roads to repair.

Cain told the board that the Town would incur those road repair costs when repairing the leaks. Brasher said most of the leaks are service lines that lead to houses.

He then told the board about a leak he had to repair at the steel mill where Brasher was in waist deep water to repair the line.

Brasher said if the Town owned a line locater it would have been easier fixing the leak at the steel mill.

He said the Public Works department does not have any tools to locate lines and leaks.

"We need a line locater to start mapping the town's water and sewer lines," said Brasher.

Most of the Town's water and sewer lines, according to Brasher, are not mapped and they do now know exactly where many of them are.

He said with a line locator they could locate lines, hydrants and more and can place valves strategically, so the water can be shut off by streets and not the whole town.

Brasher said a line locator would cost approximately $3,000.

"We have to start somewhere," said Brasher.

The board discussed differently types of line locators and prices.

Cain suggested tabling the request to purchase the line locator until more research is done and the Town can see demonstrations on the line locaters.

In department head reports, Brasher said his crews have completed the wooden fence in the outfield of the baseball field at the park, built a storage room with upper floor at the new fire department to store town records, built shelves in public works building to help organize the shop and started replacing the fence at the Public Works building that had to be taken down for construction of the fire department.

Ackerman Police Chief Rickey Thornton said the APD wrote 29 tickets in January. He also said he is applying for a law enforcement grant to purchase tasers that requires a 10 percent match.

The aldermen also discussed whether or not to donate to the Girl Scouts.

"I think it falls under category that it won't help the Town of Ackerman," said Cain.

Before the Town of Ackerman can make a donation to an organization or event they are required to determine if the donation benefits, promotes or draws attention to the Town.

"We need to do the right thing, no benefit to Town, can't see how we can do it," said Debby Curtis, alderwoman.

The donation died without a motion meaning the Town will not donate to the Girl Scouts.

In other board business the board approved:

To advertise for an attorney, engineer and administrator for all CBDG projects for the calendar year of 2009.

Appoint the Mayor Dick Cain, Town clerk Debby Boley and Public Works Director Mike Brasher to a committee to chose the attorney, engineer and administrator for all CBDG projects for 2009.

Travel for Ann Coleman, court clerk, to attend a clerk seminar March 4-6 in Tunica.

Alderman George Rooks was absent from this month's board meeting.

The next Ackerman Board of Aldermen meeting is March 3 at 6 p.m. in the boardroom.