By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
The East Brewton City Council approved the leasing of a new backhoe and paved the way for new walkie-talkies for the city's police department.
The city approved the leasing of the new backhoe after a previous lease ended. The city council opted to sign a new lease with Thompson Tractor of Pensacola. The lease will cost the city $761 per month and the agreement is for a total of 48 months. The amount paid for the backhoe is based on the state bid price.
The backhoe was delivered to the city Tuesday, March 25 and is currently available for use.
The city council also approved for the East Brewton Police Department to submit a grant application to the state E-911 Board for the purchase of three walkie-talkies.
If approved, the grant must be matched by the city with 50 percent of the funds. According to East Brewton Mayor Terry Clark, the total cost of the equipment is $1,566. The city will pay approximately $783.
Other items discussed by the council included:
Clark said that insecticide had been ordered and is currently being shipped. He said spraying would begin as soon as it arrived and that the city would spray each neighborhood every week;
One of the drop-off points was Fred's and Shulte said she already had permission from the store. The mayor said the city would be glad to assist the donation drive, but added that stopping drivers along the bridge caused problems for motorists on the Brewton side and the Brewton Police Department who often end up having to direct traffic. The city allows the W.S. Neal High School Band to set up on the bridge once each year to raise money, but Clark said that is an exception that is granted to the school.
The next East Brewton City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 15, 5:30 p.m.