The Vaiden Board of Aldermen held their monthly meeting on Monday, July 15, instead of the usual first Monday of the month. The meeting had been rescheduled twice. Resident Louis Warrington was the only guest on the agenda, there to discuss trash, road conditions, and water lines. Mr. Warrington noted that he had previously addressed the Board in November 2023. His primary concern was a trash issue at the 35/55 Truck Stop.
“Nobody wants to come in here and see all that trash,” Mr. Warrington said.
He presented photos to the Board as evidence of the uncontrolled trash situation. Additionally, Mr. Warrington reported that part of a concrete wall had fallen on a propane tank at the business and had not been removed, creating a hazardous situation.
Mr. Warrington also reported that the Town’s trash company, ABIS, contributes to litter throughout the streets. He claimed that their trucks recently had broken rear doors, causing trash to spill out during collection.
Town Attorney Tangala Hollis-Palmer responded, “We need to go through the book first,” referencing the book of ordinances.
She suggested reviewing existing ordinances to determine which ones could be enforced to address these issues. The Board, Police Chief, and Attorney will be working to resolve this matter.
Mr. Warrington's second point concerned the road washing out between the 35/55 Truck Stop and S & S Restaurant, an issue previously brought to the Mayor's attention. Mayor Washington Bell acknowledged the problem, noting that piping is now visible, and erosion has occurred.
“We have attempted to get it repaired,” Mayor Washington Bell said. “I don't know if we need to find someone else to do it, because apparently the utility contractor didn't do it right the first time.”
The Mayor explained that she has contacted MDOT in Jackson to help resolve this issue. She stated that once MDOT is contacted, the issue is placed in their work rotation. They will get to the job as soon as they can.
Mr. Warrington's final point concerned the water lines.
“Do you have any budget for the water lines?” Mr. Warrington asked.
“We have a water budget,” Mayor Washington Bell responded.
The discussion then shifted to obtaining quotes for the upcoming 2025 budget. However, the specific problems with the water lines that Mr. Warrington was referring to were not elaborated upon during this exchange.
“I don’t have anything else, I’m just waiting for y’all to make a little bit of progress,” Mr. Warrington concluded.
In other news, the Board:
• Approved to pay the docket of claims in the amount of $20,568.21.
• Approved for the Carroll County School District Development Alumni Basketball Tournament to be held in the gym on Sept. 14.
• Approved to accept the Proclamation by the governor to close the Town Hall on July 4- 5 to observe Independence Day.
• Approved to accept Dixie Roofing's bid to repair the gym roof at $11,575.
• Approved to accept the Reserve Funds to cover the expenses incurred for the sewer maintenance repairs for $83,743.76 – Depreciation reserve for short-lived assets by depositing $1,474 monthly.
