City departments prepare for winter weather in forecast

Agencies working together to ensure best outcomes for services provided

City departments are making plans in the event that the forecast for inclement weather later this week holds trues.

"We are expecting a weather event to come Wednesday and Thursday," Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams told directors of each of the city’s departments this morning during their weekly meeting. "I think the timing is Wednesday evening and night into Thursday morning. We are borderline right now where the ice and snow are north of us but we know how these things can shift so we are trying to stay on top of that.”

"We are keeping an eye on the Wednesday, Thursday weather that is supposed to take place," said Darin Flenoy, director of public works. "We have salt, sand and salt mixed with brine."

Flenoy said the department's brine machine is waiting on an electrician and plumber to completely be prepared for the ice and snow that is in the forecast.

"They are supposed to come out and fix that. Other than that, we should be ok with the brine mixed with salt," said Flenoy.

Flenoy also thanked parks and recreation director Kenneth Taylor for ordering the agency some de-icer.

Also during the meeting, Richard Rice, assistant public works director, said the street department crew had recently done dirt work along Old Madison Road and picked up paper and debris in several areas. He also reported the solid waste department’s chipper and leaf truck was working along Hwy. 70 this morning.

"We have that crew and pest control picking up junk and helping with trash also," said Rice. "Peterbilt said the frontend loader truck should be ready on Wednesday.”

Flenoy also spoke to water department director Edward Gregory about the departments working together to get pipes clogged with debris flushed out on Dawson Road.

Code Enforcement Officer Chris Ray said he has been focusing on the former Road Runner property near the Barrow Hill Road intersection on North Washington Street about getting old vehicles removed.

(Continued from Page 1) "Also, the old Wendy's building, as you know, has closed down," said Ray.

Ray said a contractor has secured the lot at the old convenience store but a tractor trailer there had to be removed recently.

"I let him out then re-secured the lot," said Ray "So if you see anyone else up there, please let me know so I can get them out."

Police Chief Deon Lee asked if the lot was locked or not, to which Ray replied not yet, but said he had been in contact with the contractor, who did put chains up and requested that once a lock is placed there that the fire and police departments would have a copy of the key for emergency purposes.

Williams told the group he had been told that Wendy’s closed due to corporate downsizing and that those he had spoken with told him that it would be easier to rebuild in a new building if the company decided to open again in this area.

Williams also reminded each of the directors to submit their prioritized lists needed of capital items by the end of the week due to possible changes through the American Rescue Funds that may allow the money to be used for more items.

In other business, fire department division chief Jeremy Sharp reported the department responded to 34 calls, including 22 medical, three carbon monoxide calls, one vehicle fire, three grass fires and two structures over the past week.

“Both of them were set on fire," Sharp said of the structure fires. "Two of the grass fires we had were significant grass fires.”

Sharp also reported that the department's ladder truck is still at a shop getting repaired.

Jimmy Gaines, Civic Center manager, said the televisions at the facility have been repaired and are now working in the Ferguson Room and the facility hosted four events this past weekend.