Statham Council to Form Committees

The Statham City Council held a work session Thursday at City Hall, where nine items were put forth that would be up for eventual vote in upcoming sessions.

Most of the work session was a discussion facilitated by Mayor Robert Bridges on the council’s goals for 2011 and presentation of a list of committees council members were to join or appoint representatives to serve.

The list included several items regarding the water and sewer systems. Included were plans to mark all sewer taps, fire hydrants and water meters throughout Statham.

“We also need more cut off switches,” Bridges said, “because we have to shut off water to too many folks when we get a leak.

 “We also got some old, two-inch pipe out there to kill,” the mayor added. “That all needs to be replaced with six-inch water lines.”

Bridges also noted the sewer work could be done by the city, but a new employee might need to be added, since the council did not move to replace an employee who resigned last year.

The upcoming annual Clean Up Week, held in conjunction with Keep Barrow Beautiful, is set for April 9 through 1. The mayor wished to remind the council and make sure the public works department was prepared.

The mayor also highlighted the need for submission of a 10-year plan for road work to the Georgia Department of Transportation.       

Committees are to be formed for historical preservation, for the proposed establishment of a downtown farmers market, the annual Statham Sunflower Festival and for transportation.

“I want a council member on these committees, but I don’t want somebody serving on one they don’t want to be on,” Bridges said.

Bridges also presented council members with a copy of information regarding two important matters before the board. The first was an update to the Solid Waste Management Plan, and the second the full language of the new ordinance governing tattoo parlors. The council was advised to read both in preparation for the upcoming vote.

Discussion of the issues at the Eighth Street/Ga. Highway 8 intersection provided no solution.

“That intersection has been a problem,” Bridges said. “Vehicles are blocking the view for cars going on to the highway.”

No suggestions were made regarding remedies.

In other business, The Statham Little League requested the use of the city baseball field for games as well as a fundraiser. Statham Police Chief Steve Martin will provide cost estimates for new vehicles and will request additional cars to be repainted. No comment was made on either item.

The council adjourned without any further discussion and will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall for its regular session.