In its meeting Feb. 15, the Red Bay City Council approved purchase of a new garbage truck and cans from the equipment fund at a cost of $21,699.54, to be paid from American Rescue Plan Act money.

“Out of that fund, we have renovated our ambulance building and jail as well as purchased a (new, automated) garbage truck, which was delivered today,” Fancher said. “The cans will be coming mid-March, and this is what is needed to pay for the entire purchase.”

Fancher said the city is working on planning a new garbage collection system, to be implemented and in place “hopefully by the end of March or first week of April.”

“We’re very excited and eager to implement a safer, cleaner, more time-efficient method of garbage collection, and that’s well overdue,” Fancher added, noting the city had been waiting on the delivery of the garbage truck since August 2022.

Fancher said the city also recently applied for ARPA funds for a $250,000 paving grant.

“We would have to put some funds with it,” she added. “It’s very competitive, but if you don’t apply, you can’t win.”

POLE MODIFICATIONS

The council also approved a quote from Shoals Electric to modify six plain pole fixtures on Main Street.

Fancher said the poles will be modified so they can be fitted with lamps on the top that will add to the lighting and downtown beautification project. Funds will be paid from the industrial development fund, and the total comes in at $49,880, which is under the $50,00 utility bid law.

“It’s going to be a lot better,” said Red Bay Parks and Recreation director Dean Hubbard.

NEXT MEETING

The next regularly-scheduled Red Bay City Council meeting will be held March 1. A work session will begin at 3 p.m. Council meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. Meetings are held at Red Bay City Hall, 203 Fourth Ave. SE, Red Bay.