County’s new t-hangar nearly finished

The final inspection of the new t-hangar at the Copiah County Airport should take place this week, the airport engineer told the board of supervisors last Wednesday.

The power was hooked up Wednesday and the contractors expected to be finished on Friday, reported Mike Corkern of Airport Development Group.

The long-awaited t-hangar should be ready for planes by July 1. The board will have lease documents prepared for potential tenants.

The engineer discussed final settlement details with the contractor. The t-hangar project should have been completed a year ago. Lost revenue on rent as well as additional engineering fees were added to the final settlement with the contractor for a negotiated total of $32,500 in liquidated damages.

The board approved a change order on the project adding a sidewalk and power duct for $2875. The total project cost was $320,000 with $316,800 from the state.

The final payment to Hemphill Construction was authorized for $51,896.57, which deducts the liquidated damages.

Board president Terry Channell expressed the board’s grief at the loss of airport operator Gerry Mosley and aircraft mechanic Steve Davis in a plane crash near the Gallman airport on June 2.

Since Mosley took over operation of the county airport several months ago, traffic was up and more planes were using the facility.

“He really cleaned the place up,” said Channell. “This was a tragic accident.”

The airport is leased in the name of Mosley’s corporation, which is expected to continue operation, the board was told.

In other airport business, the board authorized payment to Blain on the paving project as well as payments to the engineers.

Advertisement for bids on the seal coat on the apron was authorized with bids to be received July 20. This project was advertised last year but postponed due to lack of funds. Funds are now available to go ahead with the striping and seal coat project, Corkern reported.

The county is tentatively slated to receive $400,000 for land purchase on the new runway project for next year.

VETERANS BENEFITS

Veterans officer Ron Evans reminds citizens that veterans are entitled to a grave marker, with installation being the only cost. Proper documentation is required to prove service. For more information, call Evans at 601-894-4101.

Evans also shared a letter from a lady who got health insurance at a deep discount because of her husband’s military service. “There are benefits available that many people don’t realize they are entitled to,” said Evans.

An effort is being made to update the listing of Copiah County soldiers who died of combat-related injuries on the War Memorial Monument in front of the Copiah County Courthouse in Hazlehurst. Anyone who has information needed for this update should contact Veterans Services Officer Ron Evans at 601-894-4101 immediately.

Evans reported that those who receive pensions will get $250 in the stimulus package.

OTHER BUSINESS

Chancery Clerk Steve Amos updated the board on bond applications for county employees. Effective July 1, several employees will be required under new legislation to carry a higher bond. The new bonds will cost an additional $75 per employee, Amos reported.

The board accepted a list of 2008 homestead chargebacks. Amos advised that these are mostly citizens with unresolved state income tax issues.

A homeowner on Catchings Lane asked the board to consider widening the lane to improve safety. The garbage trucks and school buses regularly travel the narrow lane, which is 12 feet wide according to the description. Supervisors agreed to look into it.

An illegal jump on James Road will be cleaned up using grant funds. Quotes will be sought.

Joey Errington was moved to jail administrator and solid waste officer. Bobby Smith Jr. resigned as jailer. Kenneth McPherson has retired from the jail administrator post. Millicent Black was moved from jailer to assistant jail administrator.

Sheriff Harold Jones updated the board on their participation in Leads Online. He advised that he is also looking into a service which provides background checks.

The paperwork on the lease purchase of road equipment was approved.

One hundred twenty gallons of mosquito insecticide will be purchased from Adapco at the low quote price of $4350.

The county life insurance was changed to Mutual of Omaha to get a better rate.

The roads in Arrowhead subdivision were accepted and put on the county road registry. This includes Little Creek Drive and Red Rock Lane, which are gravel. These roads were dedicated to the public use in 2000, but no other instrument than the plat had been filed at that time, according to the board attorney.

A supplemental agreement on the Carter Hill and Brown’s Wells overlay project was approved for $3708 for signage.

Advertisement for bids on culverts, asphalt and bridge repair was authorized.

The board agreed to buy four new work trucks for the road department to replace five old trucks, some of which are 1989 models. In the past the road department has received the board of supervisors’ old trucks, but new trucks have not been purchased for the board members since 2000.

The Independence Day holiday was set for Monday, July 6.

Lost or stolen property affidavits from Georgetown, Dentville, Hazlehurst, and Allen volunteer fire departments were received. Some of the lost items go way back, reported clerk Joa Williams. Fire coordinator Randle Drane has been checking inventory and the volunteer fire chiefs are putting inventory control procedures in place.

Claims were approved totaling $1,528,920.32 before the board recessed until Monday, June 22, at 9 a.m.