JACKSON BOARD OF ALDERMEN SETS WATER, SEWER BOND ELECTION AUG. 5

JACKSON -- The City of Jackson is on its way to improving sanitary and sewer conditions if voters approve a $10.54 million bond issue in August.

The Jackson Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance Monday calling for a city election for the purpose of improving the combined water works and sewerage system. The bonds would be retired within 35 years from the date of authorization.

A special bond election is now set for Tuesday, Aug. 5.

Mayor Paul Sander said the bond issue is imperative for the future growth of the city. "If we are going to keep up with the orderly growth we must have this bond issue. We can no longer keep up the growth, as it is, without it," he said.

A total of 26 sewer and water projects are planned. Among these are:

-- Sludge treatment at wastewater facility.

-- Goose Creek trunk sewer extension to Bent Creek.

-- Rt. PP Industrial Park to Hubble Creek trunk.

-- New water pump and controls in treatment plant to I-55 tower.

-- Reworking of the tower at the treatment plant.

Mayor Sander said he wants to stress that although the city has a list of projects to be completed they are not listed in any order of importance.

In other business, an attorney representing a group of residents on Gloria Street, asked the board questions about a completed paving project. Sam Drusch said the residents want to know whether they will be tax billed or if the project will be paid for by the city.

He also questioned the city's notification process of their intent to pave. He said he could not find a public notice printed in a newspaper prior to the beginning of the project. Mayor Sander said the board would respond to the questions in writing in a few days.

During the meeting, the re-appointed aldermen and Mayor Sander were sworn in. The newly sworn-in board approved new appointments to city boards.

The board approved the following additional appointments: Jack Piepenbrok as the president of the Board of Aldermen; Mary Lowery as city clerk; attorneys Pat O'Loughlin as municipal judge and Curt Poore as alternate municipal judge; David Beeson as city attorney; Marvin Sides as chief of police; and Larry Cunningham to serve on the Planning Commission.

The board presented plaques of recognition to former city collectors Beverly Nelson and Dee Uren. Nelson served from 1991 until this year. The city collector's position was phased out this year by a voter-approved decision. Uren was the longest serving collector in the city's history serving from 1977 to 1991.