City plans fix for intersection timing

The modern sensors “read the traffic and the speed of the traffic to determine which lights need to be on and off,” said Public Works Director Clayton Mills.

The long wait times at the downtown intersection are a result of older technology, he told the Daily Corinthian. The intersection is currently equipped with in-ground loops on one street, while the other is operating off of timers.

“The Wavetronix is a newer technology that most places are going to, like MDOT did when they redid Highway 72,” said Mills. “They did away with the loops.”

The newer sensors are not in the ground, thus reducing maintenance.

The board is enthusiastic about the project. The slow intersection is “one of the biggest complaints I’ve had over the last eight years,” said Mayor Ralph Dance.

New Alderman at Large David Curry said it has been one of the most requested things he has heard thus far.

The board voted to fund the purchase with dollars that had been designated for the downtown infrastructure assessment. The board also voted on Tuesday to cancel that assessment, which was to be focused on the court square area to determine what infrastructure work might be needed there. It had a price tag of about $650,000, and those funds will be reallocated, minus about $100,000 for the sewer portion of the assessment, which has already been done.

Dance said after discussions with the Corinth Gas & Water Department, it appeared that the assessment would not be feasible.

Those funds may now be used on street work or other needs, he said.

In other business before the board this week:

Aldermen reappointed Commerce Bank President Frank Davis to the Corinth School District Board of Trustees.

For the police department, the board approved the hiring of Johnathan Ford, who is returning to the department as a police officer. The board also accepted two resignations.

For the fire department, the board approved the hiring of Clayton Langston as a full-time rookie firefighter and the hiring of five part-time firefighters – Cody Garrett, Joe Serio, Jacob Meeks, Hunter Avent and Dennis Ericson. The F.D. had two resignations and discussion of promotions in executive session.

Aldermen gave approval to solicit bids for replacement of the Corinth Library’s elevator, which has been out of commission for some time. The second floor includes recent and historic newspaper holdings, reference materials and space used by the Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council.

The elevator at City Hall is also out of commission, and the board gave approval to proceed with repairs.

The board scheduled property cleanup hearings for the March 7 meeting for 2103 Borroum Circle, 1904 Borroum Circle, 1619 Bunch Street, a Potts property in the Speedway Addition and the W.R. Rhoads II property. The board gave a continuance to April 4 for 1414 Sixth Street.

Alderman gave approval for the closure of a platted but undeveloped block of Ninth Street between Blasingame Street and School Street. In conjunction with that was approval of Josh Fortenberry’s application to subdivide property at 950 and 960 Blasingame Street, where two rental properties will be built. Both were recommended for approval by the Planning Commission/Board of Adjustment.

The city will purchase three culverts from G&O Supply at $8,295.20 for installation on Linden Street.