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By Fred Guarino

The Lowndes Signal
In the absence of outgoing Mayor James Walker, the White Hall Town Council approved a projected budget, hired a new town clerk, effective Nov 7, and voted to take bids for a wastewater treatment project Thursday night.
The council also approved an ABC Board alcohol and tobacco license for White Hall Triple Spot Grocery and assured a town resident that water problems in the Trickem community, where a fire hydrant was removed, will be corrected.
In the absence of Council member Ceodis Baker, who was present but arrived after the start of the meeting, the council approved a projected budget, which Mayor Pro Tem Eli Seaborn said would have about $1,800 left after expenses.
According to figures as of Thursday night, the budget includes revenues of $340,156.24 and expenses of $338,101.07.
Among actions taken after the arrival of Baker to the meeting, the council went into executive session to discuss good name and character.
Following the executive session, Seaborn announced that the council would begin moving on the new administration, which would officially take office on Nov. 7.
Council member Joyce Barnfield then moved that, “We keep the person that we nominated as of Dec. 29th of 2015, and that is Ms. Bertha White to start work on Nov. 7 as town clerk.” That motion was seconded by Baker and unanimously approved.
The council approved a resolution to accept bids for a grant and loan funded wastewater treatment facility in White Hall contingent on USDA and Health Department approval.
The council approved an ABC off premises beer and table wine license and tobacco sales license for White Hall Triple Spot Grocery. Baker abstained from the vote.
The council approved a proclamation stating that Oct. 13 will be Organized Community Action Program (OCAP) Day in honor of OCAP’s 50th anniversary.
And the council heard from Willie Duncan of the Trickem Community and a neighbor who said since a leaky fire hydrant was removed there continues to be a water leak, and “milky” water has to run for a long time or be boiled to be used.
Duncan said he offered to pay for “the labor and the parts to the fire hydrant back.”
Council members Baker said, “I don’t think you should have to do that.” And Seaborn told Duncan, “We should be able to handle that for you.”
Duncan also complained about cows being on the loose. But the council told him he would have to call the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office about that.
Also  prior to Baker’s arrival at Thursday night’s meeting, the council
approved the minutes of the Sept. 12 meeting.
And the council heard from Will Longshore of ABC Technology, who made a presentation on a piece of equipment, which he said, for less than $100 per month would connect the administrative and police departments so that they could print, fax, scan and email from one device.
Longshore said the device could be made available in three to five business days if approved by the council,

According to Seaborn, while the new administration will not take office officially until Nov. 7, Mayor-elect Elizabeth Davis and the entire Town Council, including new Council member Delmartre’ Bethel, will take the oath of office at the council’s Nov. 3rd meeting.