Collins resigns at HSUD


Thursday, October 15, 2009
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Collins resigns at HSUD

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer

John Collins, general manager at the Holly Springs Utility Department since November 1, 2006, tendered his resignation during the board of aldermen meeting September 6.

Collins has accepted the post of general manager at Chickasaw Electric Cooperative in Fayette County, Tenn., an electricity distributor of about 16,000 customers.

Collins will be leaving HSUD in Holly Springs effective October 23.

After coming to replace the late Tom Boone as general manager, Collins went to work on several main tasks including:

adding structure and organization to the utility.
improving employee compensation competitive with area salaries.
improving safety with training, equipment and regular safety meetings.
building customer service through projects like rights-of-way clearance.
raising the overall cooperative spirit of employees.
increasing training, especially in the gas department and instituting an apprenticeship program at the electric department.
and establishing a better emergency response system on-site with an emergency management plan and fully equipped command center.

Collins said the utility needs to continue employee training - the key to customer service and all the other elements of the industry.

Automated meter reading which was instituted on his watch, will also help provide timely information to customers on their energy use and bills, he said.

A third area that should be expanded is system maintenance to improve reliability of service, he said.

Collins said he completed work that was begun by others such as the Coldwater Substation installation in Mt. Pleasant, begun by public works director Don Hollingsworth.

“I appreciate the opportunity I was given to come here, and, hopefully, I have improved service to customers and put things in place to provide them better service,” Collins said last week.

Photo by Sue Watson

Hall retires

Lorenzo Hall, employed 33 years with the street department, announced his retirement last week.

Lorenzo Hall, who served 33 years with the city’s street department, also tendered his resignation last week. He was promised a retirement reception by mayor Andre’ DeBerry, who thanked him for his service to the city.

In other business the board of aldermen:

heard a report from Ken Robinson, director of the Regional Technology Center. Robinson recommended the city enter a three-year contract with Telepac for Internet service. He said enrollment in technology classes is up this year over last year.
approved a recommendation from Don Hollingsworth to extend gas storage agreements and transmission contracts for five more years. The contract guarantees delivery of natural gas at a level of supply to the city from the Texas Gas pipeline.
listened to a report on road construction from engineer Larry Britt. He said contractors are getting ready to put topping, incorporate soil cement and pave Mary Rhae Drive, pending weather conditions. The Holly Springs Bypass topping is underway and as much as a half mile of paving could be completed, starting on the east end, before winter stops work.

The board tabled a recommendation by Hollingsworth to contract with Elliott and Britt Engineering to do the engineering and design for construction of a water storage tank, drilling of a water well, construction of a water treatment plant and laying of 12-inch water mains to Highway 311 until the October 20 meeting.

Alderman Russell Johnson made the motion to table, saying the board needs time to study the project. Some aldermen seem particularly keen to know where the well and tower will be located.

Hollingsworth explained that engineers will have to draw up a separate contract to determine the optimal site for well construction through a series of test drillings.

“We have the geology reports and know how deep we need to go,” said Hollingsworth. “The well will be located somewhere along the bypass road.”

learned that mail box and commercial signs that are encroachments to the right-of-way on West College must be removed by March 1, 2010. Hollingsworth said he has asked the Mississippi Department of Transportation to waive requirements that mailboxes and signs be moved, but Transportation has not approved a waiver.
approved a request from alderman Johnnie Bagley that the list of city properties be updated.
discussed repair of the main entrance gate at historic Hill Crest Cemetery after the matter was raised by Bagley.

DeBerry said quotes to repair the stone column were sent to the Department of Archives and History which has now asked for photographs of the damages at the site.

After Bagley asked when the board would hear recommendations for filling of vacant positions in the department of building and grounds, DeBerry brushed the matter aside, saying the grass is growing slowly now and the department hasn't needed as many people.

“A lot of right-of-way needs to be cut,” said alderman Garrie Colhoun.
heard alderman Harvey Payne ask for correction of an erosion problem in Sam Coopwood Park behind the National Guard Armory.

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