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Midway tweaks plans for new city hall
Midway seal

 

Two issues related to Midway’s new city hall and multi-use building came before the city council Monday. A change in the parking lot will cost up to $9,000 more than planned.

Abe Nadji, a Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission engineer, told the council that the gravel rear parking area proposed for the project should be paved. He said regulations call for all parking for commercial facilities to be paved.

Estimated cost for paving over gravel would be $8,000-$9,000, he said.

Midway Mayor Pro Tempore Dr. Clemontine Washington said, “It will be paved. We have to follow our own ordinances.”

Nadji also said some other matters needed to be worked out, including angled parking. He said angled parking was not permitted, but a minor design change could correct this.

Several water and sewer issues were also resolved Monday, including spending $17,500 for a new water meter reading system. The system will support remote meter reading. Utilities Supervisor Ursula Lee said laptop computers were included as well as training for employees. Annual maintenance will cost $2,100.

Midway plans to buy a generator for the lone well that supplies city water to keep it in service during power failures. Mayor Levern Clancy said he was waiting for additional bids on the generator purchase and would present them later.

Lee presented a bid of $6,000 for fencing around the city’s elevated water tank. The low bid was from American Fencing Co. She said state regulations required the fence.

Trouble was reported with a meter measuring the water that Midway sells to the Liberty County Development Authority. Midway and LCDA share water and water treatment services at the LCDA parks in and near Midway. The sharing has been the subject of disagreement and confusion over the years.

Midway’s engineer had recommended a new meter that would cost about $70,000. Clancy said he would use an upcoming Georgia Municipal Association meeting to get more information about possible alternatives for correcting the problem.

The council accepted a proposal from EOM Operations to mow grass and clear brush in two phases at a cost of $36,000. The project is to clean ditches and other drainage areas.

Phase 1 will focus on places set as priority, including Hunter Ridge, Arlen Oaks and Edgewater Avenue.

The EOM proposal was accepted by a 3-1 vote. Councilwoman Melice Gerace, who is in charge of Midway street and drainage matters, said she was concerned that by the time phase 2 was under way grass, weeds and brush dealt with in phase 1 would have already grown up again. She voted no.

Clancy reiterated Midway’s need for a list of senior citizens and others who need assistance in the event of an evacuation.

“Please get in touch with city hall,” the mayor said.

If there is an evacuation, Clancy said Midway will take residents needing help to Liberty County’s staging area in Hinesville. County personnel will handle evacuation from there to safe areas.

The council approved two actions recommended by the LCPA: a new sign for Compassion Church and a Sept. 15 solicitation by the American Legion. Washington voted no on the church sign.

Clancy announced that the dedication of the Riceboro-Midway Live Oak library branch will be June 30 at noon.

 

Parker can be contacted by email at joeparkerjr@hotmail.com.

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Community gets a rare snow day
Snow Day 1

City of Hinesville and Liberty County offices are closed today, and the Liberty County School System is undergoing a day of virtual learning after a winter storm hit southeast Georgia.

Coastal Georgia was inundated with one of the biggest snowfalls in recorded history as forecasters called for 4-6 inches of snow to fall Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Initial reports Wednesday morning indicate at least 2 inches fell on Hinesville.

Sean Hafer and his family took advantage of the quiet roads and still Wednesday morning to enjoy the snow at Bradwell Park. He’s lived in Hinesville for almost 12 years and recalled the snow storm of 2018. But that snow was “not this deep,” he said. “It’s been a while.

“I don’t think many people went to work today,” Hafer said. “You think people would be out in it having fun, but I guess they’re scared to drive in it. It’s fun when you don’t get it around here.”

Hafer said he was curious to see how much snow was going to fall.

“They did well on this,” he said of the meteorologists. “They were accurate. They earned their pay on this one.”

The City of Hinesville declared a state of emergency Tuesday in advance of the storm and residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel due to potential severe weather conditions. Melting snow and ice can refreeze overnight, making roads dangerous.

Liberty County offices will remain closed until Friday. Liberty County School System students are having virtual learning Thursday.

Near-record lows tonight could lead to hazardous road conditions through tonight and Thursday morning, especially on secondary roads due to refreezing of melted snow and sleet and black ice with freezing of water puddle.

While daytime highs will be more temperate, overnight lows for the next few days are expected to remain well below freezing. The City of Hinesville encourages residents to drip their faucets overnight, insulate exposed pipes and to let warm air circulate around pipes by opening cabinet doors under sinks, especially those near exterior walls.

Some travel issues could persist Thursday night, with the potential for any remaining snow or slush to refreeze, especially on secondary roads.

The city also is reporting no power outages and all traffic lights are operational. Since most businesses are closed, traffic is minimal and residents are urged not to travel unless necessary.

 

 

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