JACKSON WILL HIRE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

JACKSON -- The city of Jackson could have a new public works director and assistant city administrator before the end of the year.

On Monday night the Board of Aldermen authorized the city to begin advertising for the combined position of public works director and city administrator.

The aldermen also authorized an in-depth study of the water needs of Jackson during the next five to 10 years and ordered condemnation proceedings to begin at 906 Woodland.

Alderman Glenn Oldham, chairman of the committee responsible for drawing up the job descriptions for both positions, said the committee recommended to the board that both positions be filled by one person at this time.

Oldham said the city will advertise in state trade journals and local publications and newspapers. "We hope to fill the position as soon as possible," he said. "There is no deadline for applications."

Mayor Paul Sander said the new public works director and assistant city administrator will take over many of the duties now performed by the city's acting city engineer, Rich Bowen, a private consulting engineer, and will assist City Administrator Carl Talley.

Bowen has been acting engineer of Jackson since the retirement of city engineer Jack Weith in 1991. Bowen had asked some time ago to be relieved of his duties so he can devote more attention to his growing business. Bowen would continue to provide professional engineering services to the city as needed.

Sander said the water-needs study will be done by Bowen and should be in the hands of the aldermen this fall. "Water is our biggest concern right now, as far as problems facing the city in the next five to 10 years are concerned," the mayor said. "We don't want the problem to come up and bite us five to 10 years down the road.

"We know as the city continues to grow we are going to have to improve our water distribution system with new waterlines and at least a new water storage tank.

"In order to develop a comprehensive plan to build these improvements in an orderly and financially prudent manner, we have to know what those needs will be so we don't have to do it on a piece-meal basis. With the study Rich will do, we can develop a master plan to work from and budget for each year."

On another action, the board voted to begin condemnation proceedings against the owner of a structure at 906 Woodland. The action came after nearby property owners complained at a July 6 board meeting that the house and property were an eyesore and a danger to nearby residents.

Talley said the owner will have 20 days after the condemnation notice is served to improve the property. If nothing is done by that time, the property owner will be given 10 days to come before the board before additional legal action begins.

The board tabled an ordinance that would permit the use of PVC plastic pipe for water and sewer lines for new construction. The proposed ordinance will be brought again at a future board meeting. The question of PVC pipe came up when contractors were bidding on the Jackson Middle School construction project this summer.