Town Okays Third Avenue Paving Project

by Dwight Turner

The Town of Ardmore, AL Mayor and Town Council, meeting in scheduled session on Monday night, voted unanimously to accept a bid from Watkins Construction of Pulaski, TN for the paving of Third Avenue.

The bid from Watkins Construction, in the amount of $37,641.50 was the lowest of three bids obtained for the project and also includes striping of Third Avenue once paving is completed. Work on the project is expected to commence within two weeks.

Street Superintendent Terry Barkley began the discussion of the bids by stating that his research had indicated a sharp rise in paving costs since last year.

“Prices have gone up quite a bit,” said Barkley. “The cost of fuel and mix prices has shot up an average of 23 percent over last year.”

Two other bids, one totaling $39,700 and a second totaling $41,550, were also presented to the council for consideration. After discussing the various bids and balances in town accounts to cover the costs of the project, Councilman Billy Shannon motioned to accept the bid from Watkins Construction and begin paving as soon as feasible. Shannon’s motion was seconded by Councilman Ricky Mitchell and passed unanimously.

In other business, Councilman Mary Hobbs presented the council with an updated Flood Damage Prevention ordinance, designed to replace an existing ordinance that was out of date. Under the new ordinance, the only major change centers on the office of Flood Plain Administrator. The new ordinance calls for the Building Inspector to also fill the office of Flood Plain Administrator. After a brief discussion, Hobbs motioned to accept the new ordinance and her motion was seconded by Councilman Melody Duffey. The measure passed unanimously.

Terry Barkley also presented the council with an update on improvements being made at the Alabama Park. Barkley’s comments specifically dealt with better lighting at the park.

“The work on putting in better lighting at the park is progressing well,” said Barkley. “If at all possible, I would like to wait until the Monday following the Renaissance Faire to start trenching. We will be doing the trenching in house and the electric company will be responsible for putting in the lines.” After discussing the matter, the council agreed to authorize Barkley to begin trenching the first Monday following the upcoming Renaissance Faire.

Barkley further reported that 43 stumps had recently been removed from the park.

In a related matter, Barkley brought the issue of grass cutting before the council. According to Barkley, the town is facing another year in which it must decide what to do to insure consistent, quality mowing throughout Ardmore.

“As most of you know, the problem we have faced in the past is keeping employees,” said Barkley. “Most recently, we have hired temporary workers at $7/hour, but as soon as they find a full-time job they are gone. Last year we tried hiring a full-time employee. He did a good job, but the workload was too much for one worker. He eventually left because he found a better paying job.”

Barkley went on to say that ads had been placed for temporary workers in YOUR COMMUNITY SHOPPER and the Pulaski newspaper, but the few applications received provided no one who was qualified to fill the positions.

“I recommend that we contract the mowing work out this year,” said Barkley. “The main mowing jobs are the two parks and the underpass. The little jobs, we can do ourselves.”

After discussing the matter at some length, the council instructed Barkley to discuss the matter with members of the City of Ardmore, TN Board of Mayor and Aldermen as soon as possible. Mayor Eugene Shannon pointed out that the next joint council meeting was not until May 14 and stated he believed that was too long to wait before dealing with the issue. Councilman Billy Shannon suggested that Barkley talk to representatives from the Tennessee side and place ads for contract bids in YOUR COMMUNITY SHOPPER. The council agreed with this course of action.

The next scheduled meeting of the council is Monday, May 14 at 6:30 PM.