Sheldon Board of Aldermen approves bills for commercial lighting Thursday

On Thursday evening, April 13, Mayor Rob Sewell called the Sheldon Board of Aldermen meeting to order. Two bills for Commercial Lighting were questioned by the board: one for $589.92 and the other for $580.49. Maintenance Worker Russ Strickland explained that they received 12 LED T8 Lights from the company, but needed 24 in total. The board approved the bills and Strickland's clarification.

City Clerk Tammy Goodwin reported that a city resident requested that the hole be filled in at her location where the fire hydrant once stood. She wanted the city to either put in a new hydrant or fill the hole with dirt. The board approved that they would fill in the hole, on the condition that the resident would have to split the cost with the city, regardless of which option they choose.

Alderman Becky Morgan reported that the Community Betterment Committee will be having another Bingo Night at their May 22 meeting. The board approved her report.

Chief of the City Fire Department Allison Powell reported that they had to put a new water pump in the new fire truck. She also reported that she would have to take a Fire Prevention Webinar on April 21 to receive grant money for the department. The board approved Powell’s report.

Strickland reported that a representative from Advanced Microbial Solutions (AMS) performed tests on the lagoon. The representative stated that the bottom of the lagoon meets all code inspections, but it is halfway full of sludge. Strickland stated that the representative advised they have a successful product that would break the sludge down to two to three inches, but it would cost the city $200,000. The board approved Strickland to invite the representative to next month’s meeting to make a decision.

In old business, Sewell reported that the closing date on the purchase of the old medical clinic is April 20, and the board needed to decide how to pay for it. The board approved paying $2,000 towards the clinic from the city’s depreciation account and replenishing that account $1,670 for four years.

The board approved and accepted the election results. Goodwin swore in Becky Morgan as the new Mayor and swore in Rob Sewell as an Alderman.

Newly sworn in Morgan asked the board how they would feel about moving the location of their regular meetings every month to the Community Building in the Park. She stated that they have paid for the upkeep in the Community Building and that by moving, they would help make the electric bill in the Donaldson Community Building lower. The board agreed to table this to another meeting.

The board approved to adjourn the meeting, with next month’s meeting scheduled for May 11.