Caledonia board transfers $55,343.96 to water department, raises meter fee and approves park purchases in unanimous votes

The Town of Caledonia Board of Aldermen, meeting Feb. 3, 2026 at Town Hall, unanimously approved a series of budget and operational actions affecting water infrastructure, parks and staffing.

The most consequential financial move was a vote to transfer $55,343.96 in Modernization Act funds to the Caledonia Water Department “to be used for infrastructure,” a motion made by Alderman Jason Chrest and seconded by Jacque Furnari. The board also approved Water Department bills for January totaling $96,926.55 and accepted the department’s monthly report; those votes were likewise unanimous.

The board approved a change to the meter cost policy at the request of Water Department Manager Brad Box, raising the charge for a 3/4" meter from $800 to $900 (motion by Jason Chrest; second by Robert Jacobs). The board also authorized payment of expenses for two staff to attend an Operator School in Jackson on March 24–25, 2026: Water Department Manager Brad Box and Brett Bouchillon (motion by Jacque Furnari; second by Jason Chrest).

Separately, the board approved a declaration of emergency, made by the vice-mayor, in response to severe cold that damaged the town’s traffic light and authorized payment for repair work (motion by Jason Chrest; second by Jacque Furnari).

On parks and events, the board approved the Caledonia Days report and the Park Commission’s financial report for January. The board authorized purchase on behalf of the Caledonia Park Commission of a Gator UTV in the amount of $9,137.67 to be reimbursed from Lowndes County Recreation Grant funds upon receipt (motion to approve reimbursement by Jason Chrest; second by Matt Chisolm). The minutes note two electrical repair quotes ($7,500 from Collins Electric and $6,900 from Hattaway Electric) but state those specific quotes were not used because the lower bid had expired; the project was later re-quoted and accepted at a Feb. 10 meeting, per the record.

The board also approved several administrative and personnel items: general town bills for January totaling $4,076.37; the Privilege License report for new licenses in January; authorization for the Town Clerk to attend the Municipal Clerk Spring Conference in Starkville, April 29–May 1, 2026; and authorization for the mayor, alderpersons, town clerk, court clerk and board attorney to attend the Mississippi Municipal League annual conference in Biloxi, June 28–July 1, 2026. Due to receiving only two applications for the Town Marshal vacancy, the board voted to re-advertise the position and accept applications until March 2 at 2:00 p.m.

All votes on motions recorded in the minutes were unanimous (each recorded as "Yea" for the five listed voting alderpersons/ alderwomen). Interim Chief Town Marshal Tony Perkins presented the Marshal’s Report and the board approved it. Mayor Betty Darnell called the meeting to order and declared it adjourned after the board voted to adjourn.

The board’s minutes show the actions above were taken without recorded dissents; where the minutes indicate further procedural steps (for example, the re-quote and acceptance on Feb. 10 for park lighting repair), the minutes do not include details beyond the Feb. 3 record.

The board is scheduled to handle follow-up items (advertising for the marshal position through March 2; reimbursement of the Park Commission purchase upon grant receipt); the minutes do not list additional dates for the zoning-consultant meeting other than that it should be set "as soon as possible."