[6/11/04]Repairs to a 97-year-old city sewer line will be included in a project to install additional fire plugs and provide a higher volume of water in annexed areas.

The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen awarded the $1.3 million contract Thursday to Bowie River Construction Inc., of Petal. Work is expected to begin July 1 and take about eight months to complete, said Jimmy Nelson with Allen & Hoshall Ltd. Architects and Engineers.

The biggest part of the project will be laying 30,000 feet of water lines and installing an additional 112 fire hydrants in areas annexed 14 years ago. Areas both north and south of the city were added in 1990 nearly tripling the size of the city.

“The people who have been paying taxes for 14 years will finally get the services they deserve,” said Mayor Laurence Leyens.

Before that work begins, repairs will be made to a clay sewer line along Chambers Street, Nelson said. The line installed in 1907 has started to collapse, restricting the flow.

Most of the work on the sewer line will be done along a creek that crosses Chambers Street and through a manhole.

In other matters the city board:

Approved a second temporary permit to Sheffield Carriage Company to operate at no charge a second horse-drawn carriage until Monday.

Approved board meeting minutes from May 10, May 11 and May 17.

Awarded bids for tree removal and a portable defibrillator.

Approved a change order that reduced the cost of renovation to the former Levee Street Depot by $12,000. The new total cost of the project is about $411,000.

Authorized submitting an application for a Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality grant for the 2005 Household Hazardous Waste Day cleanup.

Approved the use of right-of-way along Washington Street for the construction of a porch at 1314 Washington St. The building is being renovated by Candy Derivaux, owner of the Chocolate Derby, for a bakery and ice cream shop.

Entered contracts for coaches for the summer youth soccer camp.

Approved advertisements for the Chamber of Commerce image publication, the 2004 Red Carpet Bowl and the Vicksburg Theatre Guild.

Approved allocating $10,000 donated by Coca-Cola for the July 4th celebration.

Authorized the city clerk to advertise for sealed bids for elevator maintenance and water treatment chemicals.

Approved the claims docket.

Added human resource director Lamar Horton to the city driving list.

The city board will meet again at 10 a.m. Monday at City Hall Annex.