City department reports

At the November 4 meeting of the mayor and board of the City of Holly Springs a number of issues were taken up related to travel, employment and operation of utility department.

Mayor Charles Terry, in his report, said he is taking over working with the personnel at the HSUD with no additional salary.

A number of employee changes are reported elsewhere.

City clerk Jerrica Jones said the city has an agreement with Emmet Sims Consultants for on-site mandatory training of all employees on topics of sexual harassment. The city will pay $4,625 for the training.

The board of aldermen unanimously approved a motion to accept the proposal of Emmet Sims.

Some motions approved prior to taking up department reports included:

• approval of city general bills and claims of $125,826 and city utility bills and claims of $428,225.

• authorization of travel for mayor and board to attend the 2025 legislative mid-winter conference in Jackson January 13-15.

• authorization of the municipal court clerk to attend the Mississippi Municipal Court Clerks Association leadership conference in November.

• approval of a partnership agreement with the Junior Grizzlies League.

• approval of use of $4,500 in tourism funds to cover supplies and equipment for the Junior Grizzlies League.

• approval of a free, two-day basketball skills development clinic.

• authorization of Lester Construction to repair the roof on the water treatment plant on Spring Street.

• approval of a contract with Southern Electric to provide a second crew that will install new service and outside light requests. This action is taken up in depth in a separate article.

• authorization of a reimbursement letter to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for a waterline relocation project on Highway 178 East.

• hearing a request for a Request for Qualifications from William Franklin with PATH for installing new LED street lamps in the city.

Parks and Recreation report

Darrel Thomas presented Cory Elliott with the Memphis Grizzlies, who asked to partner with the city to work with community youngsters on basketball skills.

Elliott said the Junior Grizzlies League partnership will enhance the experience of children and allow them to continue to play.

“It’s an overall experience with us and community centers and churches to make basketball more appealing in the community,” Elliott said.

Parks and Rec hopes to sign up 100 children for the camp experience at $45 a player,” Thomas said.

The board approved a motion to partner with the Grizzlies.

Scotty Mason, experienced 20 years in training youngsters, asked to do a camp to give kids a safe environment, to prevent crime, and to teach life skills. The two-day workshop is free.

Thomas presented a proposal from a business to stop leaks in the ceiling at the Multi- Purpose Center by caulking the windows and screws.

The board of aldermen approved a motion to repair the leaks and pay for the work from the tourism fund.

Police Department report

Assistant Police chief Dwight Harris said the department is still recruiting certified officers, still writing citations and is participating in the Walmart Shop with a Cop program.

He said patrolling has stepped up and HSPD is aggressively patrolling on West Woodward Avenue since the speed bumps have been removed.

Fire Department report

Fire chief Rodney Crane said as winter approaches and on through April, the busy fire fighting season arrives.

The fire departments, including Holly Springs Fire department will be distributing smoke detectors to homes that lack one.

He recommended householders check their smoke alarms, heating systems and carbon monoxide detectors. Space heaters are a big issue.

“If there is any issue, notify the fire department,” he said. “We can assist to make sure you are ready.”

He said there have been four house fires in the area.

The fire department has a long waiting list for fire detectors and those who have received one should not ask for another, he said. The detectors are good for 10 years.

“If you got one last year, don’t be greedy,” Crane said.

With the 10-year life spans of the detectors the batteries do not have to be replaced every year, he said.

Contact the Holly Springs Fire Department, if there are questions or concerns.

HSUD report

Wayne Jones asked for a motion to have Cleveland Construction Inc. repair a leak in the aerator on the water tower on Spring Street. The board approved the leak repair.

He asked for Atwell and Gent to be approved to generate a proposal to cut the rightof- way using money allocated for the project by the Mississippi Legislature.

Mayor Charles Terry asked to table the motion saying this is not the time to issue a contract.

“I wish we could have gotten the request before the meeting,” he said.

The board passed a motion to table the request until the next board meeting.

Board of Aldermen report

Alderman-at-large Dexter Shipp said he is looking forward to a beautiful Christmas with the installation of Christmas lights and tree.

Ward 4 aldermen Patricia Merriweather said she is excited about the Rust College Founders Day including the parade. She thanked the Holly Springs Advancement Society’s work in putting on the Halloween Trunk or Treat.

Crowd size was estimated by some at 500 to 700.

“It was beautiful, peaceful and exciting,” Merriweather said.

The board went into closed session at 7:15 p.m. and entered in to executive session at 7:20 p.m. to discuss personnel issues at City Hall, the Police Department and the Utility Department.