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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

The Maplesville Town Council approved getting price quotes on a project to address drainage issues at the corner of Maple Drive and Shanks Drive during its March 13 meeting.

Ed Morris of Sentell Engineering presented bid specifications for the project and a design to replace drainage pipes on the roads to the council. Beavers have created a dam in one of the drainage pipes keeping storm water from being able to flow correctly and creating flooding on the road. Town clerk Dawn Smitherman said the bottom of the galvanized steel drainage pipes has also rusted out. The new pipes will be designed so that beavers could not cause a blockage again.

Morris said the project is an emergency situation, and therefore would not have to follow the full bid process.

The project is expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars. According to Smitherman, the project would be paid for through funding the town receives from the Alabama Trust Fund, Rebuild Alabama Act and other state funding it receives specifically for road and bridge improvements. Alabama Trust Fund monies can only be used for capital projects and infrastructure improvements.

Morris said he would send out the project specifications and get information to the council two weeks later.

Council member Ray Charles Mitchell asked if part of the project would involve private property. Morris said the town has right-of-way of 7.5 feet on either side of the drainage ditch, which means the project could be completed without being on private property.

The council went into executive session at one point to discuss the issue without the mayor, seeing it as a conflict of interest that the storm water issue was impacting Mayor W.C. Hayes’ property. A community member whose property is also being impacted expressed concerns at the meeting.