VALDOSTA — As the city of Remerton expands its commercial and residential appeal with ongoing developments and improvements, City Council members want to hire a city engineer to help direct and keep projects on track.

“Our city is small enough that we don’t need a full-time city engineer, but we would like to establish a relationship with an engineering firm to help us as we require services,” said City Manager Brian McDougal. “The time is right to do it. We are about to undertake a really important and expensive project as we look to correct water and sewer issues. A city engineer would help us out with any problems down the road, such as drainage, sewer and building issues.”

Following the induction Thursday of the newest councilman, Cornelius Holsendolph, the Council granted approval for McDougal to develop a request for quotation to select an engineering firm.

As the city attends to the top priorities set for 2007, the Council approved the $26,000 purchase of the Willow Trace property, where an additional water tank and aeration system will be placed.

Both will aid in reducing the presence of sulfur in the city’s water supply.

The Council voted in favor of reducing the speed limit on Baytree Road from 40 to 35 mph. The vote was taken in compliance with a recent decision by the Valdosta City Council to do the same, following a transportation study performed through the Georgia Department of Transportation. Once approved by the state DOT, the speed reduction will affect the stretch between Sugar Creek Plaza and Melody Lane.

The Council tabled a vote regarding the reduction of speed limits within select residential areas, pending research into the issue. The Council’s decision to look further into the issue stemmed from information shared by Police Chief Mike Terrell during Monday’s work session.

“It’s my recommendation that you all change all the areas suggested to 30 mph, because there are regulations about issuing tickets based upon the proximity of areas where speed limits change,” Terrell said.

According to the police chief, if varying speed zones exist too closely on a street, officers could possibly be restricted to the point of not being able to issue any speeding citations on that street, depending upon the road’s entire distance.

Mayor Peggi Siefert announced that Remerton will hold a town hall meeting at 8 p.m. Monday, at City Hall. The meeting will be an open forum for residents to approach the Council with issues and concerns. This will be the first of quarterly scheduled town hall meetings, which began this year at the recommendation of Councilman Scooter Hines.