Mark Reed resigned from his position as mayor of Baldwin at the council meeting on Monday, April 28.
Reed spoke to the council and all those in attendance in regards to his future plans. He stated that he intended to seek the nomination for the Republican Party seat House District 10 currently held by Ben Bridges. Reed qualified for this position on Thursday, May 1
Reed has served the city as mayor since November 1995. He said he has presided over 300-plus meetings. Reed expressed that his position as mayor has been the most rewarding experience of his life.
Reed stated that he has seen a lot of progress in Baldwin including the construction of the wastewater treatment plant, the four-laning of Hwy. 365, and the construction of the public safety buildings for Baldwin.
Reed said he was thankful for the opportunity that he has had and he would appreciate everyone’s vote for the House Seat 10 position.
In other business at the council meeting on April 28:
- Reed thanked everyone who participated in Baldwin’s Peachy Clean-up Day held on Saturday, April 26. Reed stated there were around 200 people that participated in the annual event including Baldwin citizens, board of realtor’s members, and members of Fellowship Church and Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute transition residents.
- Eric Teittinen, senior vice president of Woodard and Curran spoke to the council recommending that the city make repairs to one of its raw water pumps. Teittinen provided the council with three bids: Calibration Controls and Automation (CCA), $10,522; Murphy Mechanicals Rebuilds, $10,800 and Graves Water Services, Inc., $14,800. Teittinen recommended that the city go with CCA. The price includes removal, disassembly and installation of pump and replacement of normal wear parts, and crane rental.
- Fire Chief Joe Roy approached the council and stated that he has found a buyer for the rescue squad at $40,000 with a broker. The broker also has a ladder truck in Colorado and a heavy rescue truck in Connecticut that the Baldwin Fire Department wishes to purchase. Roy was seeking the consent of the council to proceed with the trade of Baldwin’s rescue squad for the ladder truck and heavy rescue truck. In a four to one vote the council voted to proceed with the vehicle evaluation and send representatives of the fire department to inspect the fire trucks and with the sale of the rescue squad. Council member Ray Holcomb opposed this action.
- the council approved a resolution with the Department of Corrections (DOC). Teittinen state that the DOC program with Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute would provide job training for the residents within a year of release. A guard will be present at all times and will transport the trainees to and from Lee Arrendale State Prison. Classroom training will be held at the prison and hands-on training will be held at the water plant. Teittinen stated that the prison has agreed to send a letter stating that Lee Arrendale will assume all responsibility for any accidents. Syfan asked to see any letter that is received by the city on this issue. The council requested that a letter be received from Lee Arrendale relieving them of any responsibility in the event of an accident and they will assume responsibility for any damage.
- Teittinen recommended that the council consider placing a building over the raw water pumps to protect them from the environment and outside damage. Teittinen told the council that with their permission Carol Jackson, Woodard and Curran, will attempt to retrieve funds from Homeland Security for this project.
- Teittinen told the council that he is not prepared to present an engineering proposal at this time for future expansion at the wastewater plant. He said he would put the proposal together in the next few days.
- a proposal to raise the fee for city cemetery lots was raised from $300 to $600 per lot in a four to one vote. The city is responsible for maintaining the grounds at the cemetery. Council member Beverly Holcomb voted against the proposal.
