City moves forward with sidewalk project

 Sparta Board of Mayor and Aldermen recently voted to approve moving forward in executing a TDOT Multimodal Access Project that will help install sidewalks on North Spring Street.

The city received news earlier in the year that they had been approved for a grant that would provide $950,000 toward installing sidewalks on the west side of North Spring Street. While the city will be responsible for an additional $50,000, the sidewalks would provide safe walking spaces, running from Bockman Way north to Turntable Road.

“This is step one of the project,” Tonya Tindle, who is serving as interim city administrator following the resignation of Brad Hennessee, explained. “We have until 2025 to complete this step.”

Tindle said once the sidewalk is completed, the city can then apply for another grant for a second phase of the project that, if approved, would extend the sidewalks to Sewell Drive, making a walkway that would continue on to the Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital.

“I think this will be great. We have students who walk along North Spring Street on their way home from the high school,” Mayor Jerry Lowery said about the project. “We have people in the community that use the sidewalks for walking for health or fitness or just for a fun activity. This will give them even more places to walk.”

In other business, the board:

• Approved the low bid of $7,800 from Richards & Son Roofing for roof replacement at the Animal Shelter
• Approved the proposals from ClearElectric for the electrical construction work and equipment recommended by Hethcoat & Davis Engineers. On site Testing Proposal at $5,000 and Corrective Electrical Improvements Proposal at $10,000.
• Approved the emergency purchase and installation of the High Service Pump at the Water Plant from Guthrie Sales & Services in the amount of $25,214.
• Approved the proposal from GEOS Services, LLC in the amount of $16,950 for the Injection Well Installation and Permitting at 322 Clark St.
• Approved the low bid of $27,975 from Gulf Coast Underground. LLC for Sewer Smoke Testing for the Sewer Department.

“We are going to be active in saying we want it done pretty quick,” Lowery said and further stated the city would like to get the smoke testing done in less than the 60-day window they have been given to move forward with the sewer repair project. “This will help us pinpoint some problem areas. We will be looking for where we need to take proactive action.”

The board approved the proposal to have only one meeting during the month of December because of holiday schedules, which will be Dec. 8, at Duck Pond Manor, prior to the city’s Christmas dinner.