The North Jackson Street bridge replacement project is progressing.

“They got the clearing complete and the old bridge removed. They’re making progress,” said engineer Ryan Holmes. 

Utility companies were in the process of setting poles and relocating lines as necessary, Holmes said. Once that is completed, the contractor will return and begin replacing the bridge itself.

Other paving projects across the city’s six wards will begin once bids have been received and approved, the engineer said.

Fires and lights

City work crews are still “shut down” when it comes to mowing roadsides, Public Works Director Keith Lewis said. 

“There have been several fires set by lawnmowers and by bushhogs,” Lewis said. 

So all cutting crews in the city, as well as Lincoln County and the Mississippi Department of Transportation, have put a pause on all such work until drought conditions improve. 

The City’s crew has now been working since around Labor Day cleaning curbs and gutters. Road crews have been at work with asphalt patching and cut-outs, Lewis said.

Street lights are being replaced with LED lights now, said Lewis, shedding light in areas that have been without adequate light. The project was delayed in late 2021 due to Entergy’s difficulties obtaining necessary parts from overseas suppliers. Parts are finally more readily available, and the company is working well with the City to get Brookhaven lit up.

“We have new contacts and they’re doing a real good job,” Lewis said. 

Other business 

In other business at its second meeting of September, the Board: 

• Approved the removal from inventory and scrapping of a 2018 Ford Explorer from the Police Department, due to a total loss insurance claim.
• Approved the petition by Ole Brook Club LLC to vacate the old subdivision plat of Country Club Place Subdivision in order to create a new plat.
• Approved the purchase of four FUSUS compatible pole cameras from Metrix Solutions in the amount of $27,800 for the Police Department, to be made with drug seizure funds.
• Approved pay request No. 1 from Beacon Construction LLC for work completed on the North Jackson Street bridge project in the amount of $116,236.42.
• Approved pay request No. 1 from Greenbriar Digging Services for work completed on the East Washington Street culvert replacement project in the amount of $56,705.40.
• Approved the low quote from Greenbriar Digging Services of $18,400 to provide labor and equipment to install two drainage boxes and pipe on McNair Street as part of the municipal drainage system.
• Approved three quotes for a relocated Fire Training Facility, all submitted by Greenbriar: (1) site improvements, $72,667.50; (2) facility, $70,277; and (3) water main improvements, $13,800.
• Approved the resignation of Tiakara Kelly, Solid Waste Department driver/operator.
• Approved the resignation of Lasedrick Kelly, Street Department laborer.
• Approved the resignation of Jonathan Buie, BPD patrolman.
• Approved the resignation of Korie Stewart, BPD patrolman.
• Approved anniversary salary increases of $1 per hour each for: 
• Approved to hire Keith Brent as BPD part-time certified Patrolman 4, with eight years experience; and William Hemby as a part-time certified Patrolman 4, with five years experience; each at $21.63 per hour, pending drug test, physical, and background check.