Manila council votes to purchase equipment

Manila city council discussed purchasing equipment and hiring a part-time employee at a special called meeting held Monday, Aug. 6.

Mayor Wayne Wagner said Henry Ford, water/sewer superintendent, and his employees have discussed a need for the city to purchase a Ditch Witch, with the capability to clean out sewer lines. The city still has a lot of older lines and a problem with sand getting into the lines.

Wagner expressed his appreciation to the city of Leachville for allowing Manila to use their machine in emergency situations.

“Mr. Ford has done the research and has an estimate for the machine he thinks will do the job,” Mayor Wagner said.

With the municipal discount the machine will cost $71,000. Mayor Wagner said he had talked to representatives at First Commercial Bank and the city can borrow the money at a low interest rate for five years. Mayor Wagner suggested the city borrow $70,000 and pay the taxes or any remaining money out of the general fund.

Councilman Dale Murphy asked if the sewer line problems were all in the old system.

“We have not had any problems with the new lines,” Mayor Wagner said.

Following a discussion, the council voted unanimously to borrow the money and authorized Mayor Wagner and Mr. Ford to purchase the Ditch Witch at a maximum of $72,000. Board member Jason Baltimore said anything over the amount should be brought back to the council.

Wagner expressed his appreciation to the city employees who helped Sunday morning to move the Head Start building off the school property to near the fire station.

He said he plans to work with the school to put underground drainage across from Ray Boone's property with future plans to widen the street from Olympia past the cemetery, maybe to Highway 18.

Councilman Murphy said that would help the traffic and the school buses. Murphy said he would check on the possibility of acquiring drainage pipes for the project.

Park manager Darrell Birmingham said the pool will be open one more weekend (Aug. 11-12) and for private parties through Aug. 26. He said the pool has had an excellent season.

Following a short executive session, the council voted unanimously to hire Randy Allen Martin, Jr. part-time on the trash pick-up.

The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for 5:30 Monday, Aug. 20.