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Seven seek New Madrid city administrator’s post
NEW MADRID, Mo. - New Madrid is one step closer to having a new city administrator.
Seven candidates applied for the position with six set for interviews on Nov. 1, according to current City Administrator Richard McGill. McGill announced his resignation in late August.
During the Oct. 24 City Council meeting, McGill explained that he, Mayor Donnie Brown, one other member of the board of aldermen and a department head will conduct the interviews. The top candidates will then be introduced to the full Council, which will make the final decision.
“I feel incredibly good about the response - both with the quality of applicants and the number of applicants,” McGill said.
Michael Harrelson, the chief operating officer for CST-New Madrid, provided an update on the waste-to-renewable chemicals facility to be constructed in New Madrid.
Explaining he wanted City officials to be able to answer questions from the public about the business, Harrelson showed the Council illustrations of what the bales of waste products would look like that will be brought on site. The design of the buildings is still being finalized, however he said most of the production process takes place inside the buildings.
Councilman G.L. Keene inquired if there would be any type of a smell associated by the industry. Harrelson assured him there would be none.
He explained as part of the permitting with the Department of Natural Resources, all buildings will adhere to DNR’s rules regarding odor control, fencing, signage, etc. “We are to the teeth with DNR at this point in time,” he added.
According to Harrelson, all three permits needed for operation were submitted to DNR. Approval takes from 60 to 90 days and company officials are in hopes of receiving the go ahead in late November or early December.
Once permits are approved, construction will then begin. “We want to be in business by spring of 2023,” Harrelson said.
The company will first hire managers to oversee the various departments. Harrelson said for those interested in seeking employment there is a career tab on the company’s website, Circular SynTek. Applicants can fill out the form and attach a resume which will be forwarded to the New Madrid office.
The $4.5 million loan made by the City in August to the company will be paid off around the first of the year, Harrelson said. The loan enabled the industry to facilitate the permitting process with DNR.
Also he advised the company is working with the Department of Energy for funding.
Other action taken by the Council included:
• Approval was given for the purchase of utility poles for the electrical department. The cost of the poles is $12,769.08
• The zoning along Highway 61, which includes the location of the Southeast Health facility and the Family Dollar/ Dollar Tree store, was rezoned from residential to general business.
• With work beginning on the budget for 2023, McGill suggested if the Council has any requests to bring them to himself or Brown. Also he noted the budget annually includes $350,000 for paving of streets and asked the Council to make suggestions on which of the town’s roads are in the most need for repairs.