Gray City Councilmen heard good news about the city’s most recently drilled water well and had a lengthy discussion about trash cans at their July meeting of all committees.
Mayor Pro Tem James Collins called the July 20 meeting to order, and the first report was from the finance committee. Chairman Councilman Terrell Fulford said over 98 percent of the 2025 property taxes, $1,353,113, have been collected with $22,539 outstanding.
City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan reported for the Water and Sewer Committee that drilling for the new well stopped at 525 feet and was producing 100 gallons per minute.
“So far, it seems to be a good well,” he said.
City Attorney John Newberry said the contract for the purchase of the well property had been extended for 30 days to have time to make sure the well is viable. The attorney said the city should be able to close on the well property next week.
Morgan said the well is six inches in diameter now and would be increased to eight inches. He said that should increase water production.
Newberry reported that he drafted the contract with Laurens County to take the city’s wastewater sludge. Morgan said the change would be a big savings for the city. He said the price of $38 a ton to take it to Dublin is about one-quarter of what the city pays Wolf Creek.
Fulford asked if the hauling fee would increase. Morgan said it would not because the trucks that haul it come from Laurens County.
The superintendent said on average the city takes 20 to 30 tons of sludge a month and spent $100,000 on the disposal last year.
At the conclusion of the report, Collins commented that it was nice to receive good news about the city’s wells.
In her Main Street Gray report, Director Ashley Roberson said she has opened signups for the city’s Nov. 28 Christmas on Main Festival. She said she opened the signups early because there are so many of the festivals that time of year.
Roberson was asked about The Crossing building. She said there has been interest but for now the focus is on painting the building and getting the wiring up to code.
Employee of the month
Collins, who serves as chairman of the Personnel Committee, announced that Gray Police Officer Dylan Joiner is the City Employee of the Month.
“Officer Joiner is very responsive and does a great job,” he said.
Joiner happened to be at the meeting and said he has been employed by the city for three years.
“It’s been great so far,” he commented. The mayor pro tem added that Joiner has one of the two new police cruisers.
Trash talk
Councilman Terry Favors said he is concerned about the trash cans that are left by the curb by residents and the dumpsters that are in plain view near businesses.
“It just doesn’t look good,” he stated. Favors said he counted the trash cans left at the curb days after the trash has been collected and was amazed by the numbers. The councilman said the trash cans should be pulled back up to the houses after collection and preferably placed at the back of the house.
He also noted that the city has three trash cans sitting on the side of the building, but they are all too visible from James Street.
“We need some kind of enclosure for the cans,” he said.
Favors said he would like to see something on the books to address the issue and asked if staff could check to see how other cities handle the problem.
Councilman David Tufts said he spoke with the supervisor of Ryland Environmental while at the recent GMA conference in Savannah. He said the supervisor said to contact him with any problems, but that doesn’t help the problem of residents leaving their trash cans on the street.
The only business for the Streets Committee was the opening of bids for the city’s 2026 LMIG projects. Morgan opened each of the six envelopes and quickly thumbed through the documents. He read out the names of the companies and their bids but then said he needed time to make sure the bid packages were complete.
The superintendent said he would present the information to council at their Aug. 3 meeting with his recommendation.
Morgan also said the street department would begin hot patching problem areas on city streets.
The only comment under public safety was from Gray Police Chief Adam Lowe. He said the department has two new cruisers and has enough money in SPLOST funds to purchase a third cruiser.
Gray Fire Chief Keith Eisele had nothing to report for the fire department.
The meeting adjourned to closed session to discuss personnel and real estate. The meeting reopened at 6:53 and adjourned again with no action taken.
The next meeting of the Gray City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 3, in the D.V. Childs Jr. Civic Center next to City Hall.
