The Duck Hill Board of Alderman Meeting Monday night was short and concise. After an invocation given by Alderman Chris Caldwell, the Board approved the claims docket and minutes before moving into other business. The first major item on the agenda was regarding Town Engineer Joe Sutherland’s report, in which he updated the Board on ongoing projects in the town. He stated that contractors were expected to begin work around the grove, as well as installing a grinder at the wastewater treatment plant, in the first week of June. In addition, he informed the Board of pending grant applications, for which he stated all paperwork had been handed over to representatives at North Central Planning and Development District.
Following Engineer Sutherland’s report, the Board heard the request of resident Seshadrial Miers to host a Lupus Awareness Walk which would span roughly 1 mile through the town to be held on the tentative date of Saturday, June 1. Mayor Al White requested Police Chief Tim Gholston arrange an escort for the walkers to ensure their safety in the summer heat. The Board accepted the request to plan the walk on a motion by Alderwoman Cynthia Brown-Kountz and seconded by Alderwoman Linda Bennet with all in favor. The walk is still currently in the planning stages, as many details are still being discussed.
For the last pressing matter of the night, the Board heard from Alderwoman Morgan Eskridge regarding recent issues noticed within the community. Firstly, she asked for clarification on how residents are notified of special called Board meetings. Town Clerk Lasonja Sizemore reported that all notices of special called meetings are posted in three places throughout town: on the door of City Hall, at the post office, and at the Duck Hill Food Mart gas station. Next, Alderwoman Eskridge brought issues of missing or faded street signs to the Board, raising the concern of emergency services being unable to locate addresses in a timely manner.
“They’re just missing everywhere. And, like, some of them are so faded out you can’t read ‘em,” Alderwoman Eskridge explained.
“The worst thing is if you call 911 and say ‘hey, come to such-and-such address’ and they can’t find it that would be bad… Even in a small place like this,” Board Attorney Adam Kirk advised.
The Board briefly discussed the possibility of allocating money from the budget to address the issue and replace the signs but did not come to a firm resolution on the issue. Mayor White suggested Town Clerk Sizemore look into the cost of replacement.
In other news the Board:
• Agreed to add a John Deere riding mower to the town surplus items.
• Accepted the report of Police Chief Tim Gholston.
• Heard concerns from attending residents about the need for a community storm shelter.
• Heard Attorney Kirk’s advisement about Mayor White issuing an easement to the railroad for pending work near water lines.
• Revisited the issues of ownership of the building by the caboose.
• Approved the pending change in name of Carrollton Street to Farmer Drive.
