Jamestown Mayor Terry Lawless was given the go-ahead to sign with the engineering firm Kenvirons, Inc. to begin the process of looking for state grant monies for sewer plant renovations.

The sewer plant is in need of extensive renovations to keep it in good working order, including a number of valve replacements, electrical work, new aerators as well as a new sludge press, according to city leaders.

Kenvirons was chosen after receiving the highest rating of qualification, according to Jamestown Public Works Director Ottis Skaggs.

"In signing the contract, what we're doing, we're just putting in the motion that we'll sign on the alterations," said Mayor Lawless. "They want us to get that done and they'll start seeking funding."

The council voted to have the budget amended to allow for the purchase of a new Skaggs zero-turn mower for the city. The $9,400 mower is to replace one of the two worn mowers that the city owns. According to Lawless, the ability to purchase this mower now from a Somerset dealer would save up to $3,500.

Lawless said the city would consider buying a second mower after the beginning of the new fiscal year.

City Clerk Tyler McGowan gave a second reading of an updating of the city's Personnel Policies and Procedures to keep the policy current. McGowan said that the changes mainly had to do with clarification of wording of the policy being replaced.

The Jamestown Police Department has acquired a cell phone that will allow for calls to the police department to be forwarded to the phone. With limited personnel the city's police department is often not in the office, being on patrol or responding to dispatch calls. Mayor Lawless wants citizens of Jamestown to know that now if they call the police department office at 270-343-3300 and no one is in, the call will be forwarded to the officer on duty.

Lawless requested that people working in the offices in Jamestown to try to find parking off the square.

"With the Judicial Building being on the square we've been having limited parking due to construction for the last eight or nine months," said Lawless. "The people who work at the courthouse or offices here in town, I would just ask that you find an alternative parking place; where people that do come into town to do business can find a place to park."

Lawless mentioned that the square does have a two hour limit to parking, but that enforcement is prohibitively difficult. There is extra public parking spaces behind the Shearer-Byrom Law Office, as well as the former impound lot behind H.K. Cooper's Law Office. Additionally, Lawless said the Christian Church Behind the current county courthouse is not opposed to people parking in their lot.

Council member Larry Joe Murray wanted to give a citizen's thanks to Jamestown Fire Chief Tony Wright.

During a large rain in the previous week, Dale Coe's sump pump had quit working, and a new replacement pump would also not work. Wright sent a pump for Coe to use that kept his basement from flooding.

Council member Marcelene Taylor asked for a moment of silent prayer for Wright who may soon have to undergo heart surgery.

Council member George Ralph Garr said he had received a phone call over the weekend from another citizen to thank the water and sewer department employees for the good work they do.

"I was thinking they do a lot of good work but their work gets covered up a lot, nobody ever gets to see it," he said.

Garr went on to praise all city employees for their work and dedication.