Sharon Discusses Flooding Issues, Bulk Trash Price and Purchasing Fuel Tank

During public comment at the Sharon July 8 board meeting, one resident, Tonya, pointed out her road was flooded from one end to the other. The resident stated that her culvert was broken off on one side by a city mower and that it was completely blocked with brick and mud.

Mayor Donna Stricklin stated that something had to be done all over town.

“At one time we were going to get the County involved but we bought that little ditcher, but work needs to be done on so many streets here in town because I believe the water is eating our roads up,” Stricklin stated.

Some of the problem areas included the cemetery, Carla and Don Edwards home, North Martin by Alderman Joe Jones home and Tonya’s home.

Water and Sewer Director Greg Evans stated that Jones’ culvert needed to be dug out and that Jones would need to purchase the culvert and the city would put it in.

“So, do I have to hire somebody to come fix my culvert that has been messed up by the city?” Tonya stated.

“Oh, so you’re saying we messed your culvert up?” Stricklin asked.

Tonya stated that she used to have a video of the incident and Jones confirmed that approximately four years ago a city employee ran over it with a mower.

Stricklin said that if Tonya purchased the culvert, the city would install it.

As far as the cemetery flooding problem, Evans stated that water had been seeping from the center for years. Ditching it might fix the problem because it had never been ditched according to Evans.

The city agreed to start working on the bad spots in town that didn’t involve anyone’s personal culvert.

During Evans’ monthly report he noted that there was a lot of bulk trash on the curbs in town and that something would need to be done soon.

Stricklin stated that they could send letters to residents stating that they could come to city hall and pay a $25 fee per item to have the bulk trash carried off but that it would have to be paid before removal.

The City of Sharon discussed the fuel cards received and the purchase of a diesel tank at their July 9 board meeting.

Mayor Donna Stricklin stated that each department must keep a log of the fuel they are receiving.

“Because we're not going to have this other stuff we had last year. It's going to be documented and your department's going to pay for what you use,” Stricklin stated.

Stricklin stated that no guesswork or percentages would be allowed when obtaining fuel with the fuel cards.

The diesel tank in the city was discussed for purchase with Fire and Police Chief Gary Eddings stating that it would be worth the purchase.

“We could buy the tank, but we need a new gauge pump, nozzle, and turnkey,” Eddings stated.

The approximate cost would be $1250 with the city taking ownership of the tank to provide diesel and the city could keep up with how many gallons of diesel they pump and not have to go elsewhere to obtain the fuel. 

The board voted unanimously to purchase the diesel tank.

The next regularly scheduled city board meeting will be on Monday August 12 at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.