By John Howell
Small flags of various colors along Highway 35 North mark existing pipelines that must be closely watched as workers prepare to replace and existing four-inch sewer line with a 10-inch diameter, Mendrop Engineering spokesman Byron Houston said.

City officials during their Second Tuesday meeting approved a recommendation from Mendrop Engineering spokesman Byron Houston  and Water and Sewer Dept. Superintendent Mike Ross to advertise for bids to replace the line.

“We want to run a 10-inch line so that we can handle all the capacity for the future,” Houston said. “A lot of our sewer is coming from east Batesville, all the way down through there.”
Houston said the existing line is undersized, “putting way too much pressure on the pumps” in lift stations.

Aldermen voted 4-0 to advertise for contractors to replace the existing pipe with 6,800 feet of sewer forced main.

The October 21 meeting was one of the shortest in several years, consuming little more than on hour.

Aldermen also voted:
• To approve a request from the Batesville Shrine Club to hold the annual Christmas Parade on Tuesday, Dec. 9, starting at 6 p.m.

“It’s an honor to be asked, to be serving the Shrine Club and the City of Batesville,” Shrine Club spokesman Bobby Porter said.

“We want to put Christ back in it,” the Shrine Club spokesman continued. “We’ve had a lot of response from churches in the area;”

• To confirm Todd Pittman as gas superintendent. Pittman was appointed acting superintendent during a 90-day probation period following the retirement of former superintendent William Wilson;

 • To approve a membership request letter from Mayor Jerry Autrey to Mississippi Federal Credit Union asking that city employees be accepted as members;

• To donate $1,000 to assist Batesville Garden Club with expenses in hosting the Mississippi Garden Club state convention in April, 2015;

• To allow Batesville Civic Center Director Roy Hyde to post an opening for foreman.

Attending Tuesday’s meeting, in addition to Mayor Autrey, were Aldermen Eddie Nabors, Stan Harrison, Bill Dugger and Ted Stewart. Alderman Teddy Morrow did not attend.