City Board, March 6: Emergency warning system repair, improving city water discussed

Substantial repair needed by New Albany’s emergency weather warning system was the first major item of business that came before the city board March 6 meeting, Tuesday evening.

Bill Mattox, manager of the city’s public utility operation (NALGW), told the board monthly testing of the city’s weather warning sirens has revealed urgent needs for major repairs and replacement. He said the weather siren apparatus near the high school must be completely replaced and the one at Glenfield needs major repairs. He told the board replacing the siren at the high school would cost $22,249 and it will take $9,600 to repair the Glenfield siren, a total of $31,849. The board approved an emergency appropriation to get the work done quickly.

The city’s emergency warning system is not actually a part of the NALGW operation, but NALGW has the required equipment and does the maintenance work for the system.

Mattox also told the board of work being done to improve the quality of water delivered to New Albany Lights, Gas and Water customers. Although there are no health issues with the water, high content of iron oxide and natural minerals sometimes causes the water to be to have an off-putting brownish appearance. Mattox said NALGW is evaluating chemistry at each of the city’s wells to alleviate the problem. He said the pH or acid/alkalinity of the water causes it to be “aggressive,” which produces most of the discoloration. It is hoped that the work being done will adjust the pH of the water to relieve what has been a long-term complaint from water customers.

Billye Jean Stroud, the city’s tourism and marketing director, asked for and was given authorization to book musical acts for the annual Tallahatchie Riverfest. She said the Riverfest would be Sept. 28 and 29 this year. Stroud also announced that the city’s Farmers Market, held on Saturday mornings in recent years, would be moved to Thursday evenings in the hope of drawing more participation. She also discussed work being done to update the city’s internet website.

First Ward Alderwoman Amy Livingston and City Attorney Regan Russell told of the work being done to complete a new city ordinance regulating the types of signs that are permitted in the city. The current ordinance, put in place in 2006, has produced a number of troublesome issues over the last 12 years. It is hoped that the new ordinance will be an improvement. Final approval of the new ordinance is not likely before the May meeting of the Board of Aldermen. NAnewsweb.com will soon post the current draft of the new sign ordinance on this website, so it will be available for public information and comment.

The board conducted other routine business, including paying the bills, approving the minutes of past meetings. As usual, the aldermen went into executive session, not open to the general public, at the end of their regular meeting.

For TV 99 video discussion of  the current and proposed sign ordinances: http://nanewsweb.com/nanewsweb-com-blogger-discusses-new-albany-signs/