CARROLLTON -- Town engineer Kyle Grubb with Willis Engineering spent last Friday morning assessing the Town of Carrollton’s drainage woes with Mayor Pam Lee.
For years, the town has battled erosion and washing, however, they may have the funds to correct the problem at the source.
At last Tuesday’s meeting of the Carrollton Mayor and Board of Aldermen, the board accepted a bid from Double S Construction in the amount of $125,792 to pave Washington Street from the Lexington Street intersection west to the town limits just past Carroll Academy’s gymnasium. The town will pay for the project with $200,000 allocated by the Mississippi State Legislature to make improvements on Washington Street.
During a discussion about a drainage problem on Peavy Street, Alderman Tommy Goodman asked if the board would allow the town engineer to come and assess the town’s flooding and see if it were possible to construct under the ground wastewater sewers to catch water before it travels down the hill from Washington Street to Peavy Street.
“I would like to have the town engineer meet with the town council to discuss the water problems and give us a recommendation of how to proceed,” Goodman said.
Alderwoman Susan Dunn said, “We need to investigate the drainage on Washington Street.
Goodman said so far the town has just “piecemealed” drainage issues individually. He said finding the source of the problem will save the town time and money in the future.
“This water problem is a real problem for a lot more people than just [one family],” Goodman said.
Goodman said the town could start by cleaning out drainage ditches throughout the town.
“I do think digging ditches out is a big part,” Goodman said.
Goodman’s motion to contact the town engineer was seconded by Alderman Ryan Jackson, and the measure passed.
Lee said Grubbs will present his assessment to the town board to see if correcting the drainage problem could be achieved with the remaining $75,000 from state funds.
In other town business:
• The town issued a proclamation, at the county’s urging, declaring a state of emergency for recent flooding throughout Carroll County.
• The board voted to donate a vase given to the town by the estate of Elizabeth Spencer to the Merrill Museum to add to the collection on her life.
• Town Hall will be closed on April 10 for Good Friday.
