Rockford Council purchases tractor, sells vehicles
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Rockford Council purchases tractor, sells vehicles
By Christa Jennings
Councilmember Robert Smith and Mayor Scott White look over the Mahindra tractor while Councilmember Karen Pemberton reviews some of the details with Ray Farris with Peach Automotive and Outdoor. Photo by Christa Jennings
During last Tuesday evening’s Rockford Town Council meeting, the council took action regarding some town equipment, specifically vehicles.
Mayor Scott White told the council that the town’s 22-year-old John Deere tractor received an offer of $11,300 on GovDeals. Additionally, as discussed at a previous meeting, he sought cost estimates for a new tractor.
During discussion, he mentioned that one of the estimates was for $27,900 for a 50 horsepower Mahindra tractor 4×4 with a canopy and a bucket on the front. He informed the council that the tractor only had five work hours on it and that it would come with a 7-year warranty.
He suggested that the town sell the John Deere tractor and use the money from it to go toward the cost of the Mahindra. That would leave the remaining balance at approximately $16,600.
After discussion, the council unanimously approved selling the John Deere tractor for the $11,300 on GovDeals.
Additionally, it was mentioned that a gentleman would be bringing the Mahindra tractor to town that evening for the council to look it over. The council unanimously approved purchasing the Mahindra, contingent on the members still being in favor of it after reviewing it on site.
After the meeting, Ray Farris with Peach Automotive and Outdoor was on hand outside Town Hall with the tractor. Council members and Mayor White looked it over, discussed details with Farris, and the council voiced its agreement to go forward with purchasing the tractor.
Also related to equipment and vehicles, the council unanimously approved selling the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria on GovDeals, following brief discussion. White reported that the Police Department has two good working cars right now, so that one could be sold.
After reviewing the animal control resolutions with town attorney Derrick Blythe and some discussion, the council unanimously approved both volume one and two and adopted both resolutions. The approval included changing the term “town finance department” to “clerk” and having Blythe finalize the exact wording of the resolution with White and Town Clerk Jennifer Tindall.
In other business, during the meeting the council interviewed three applicants for the part-time maintenance position to work 19 hours per week.
The council later went into executive session for approximately 25 minutes to discuss maintenance applicants, as well as the town’s alleyway that had been discussed at a previous meeting.
Following the executive session, no action was taken regarding the alleyway, but the council unanimously approved hiring William Earl Jones for the part-time maintenance worker position with a starting salary of $10 per hour.
White and the council also discussed hiring a part-time seasonal maintenance employee to work 10-15 hours per week during the summer to, as White said, “help get the town where it needs to be.” After brief discussion, the council unanimously approved hiring a seasonal part-time summer maintenance worker.
Regarding other town matters, White informed the council that Town Hall’s new phone system should be installed and in operation by June 26. The new phone system will help decrease the town’s overall monthly bill.
Additionally, White said there had been some delays with the new Rockford Senior Center, but that it should hopefully be complete and ready for the senior citizens to use by the middle of June.
Regarding the upgrade to the Alabama Power street lights previously discussed, White announced at last week’s meeting that the lights should be in town the following day. He said the entire town limits is getting the LED upgrade, which should be about 101 lights, as well as adding one larger one at the Event Center.
The next regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Rockford Town Council will be held at 6 p.m. June 15.
Councilmember Robert Smith and Mayor Scott White discuss the Mahindra tractor specifics with Ray Farris of Peach Automotive and Outdoor. Photo by Christa Jennings
Councilmember Robert Smith looks over the Mahindra tractor while Councilmember Karen Pemberton reviews some of the details with Ray Farris with Peach Automotive and Outdoor. Photo by Christa Jennings