New Cumberland City Council met on Wed,, January 8. The regularly scheduled Council meeting had been rescheduled due to inclement weather.
Whether to replace or simply repair the City’s backhoe was discussed. City Clerk Tammy Jenkins suggested using the $32,188.71 money the City had received for flooding for a down payment on a backhoe. Since the money had already been paid from City funds for flooding issues, she said that money was available for the downpayment. The cost of a new backhoe is $120,000.00 and the cost of repairing the old one, purchased in 1997 is $77,000.00 While the backhoe is used primarily by the Water/Sewage Department, Mayor Will White informed Council that there are not sufficient funds in the Water/Sewage accounts to pay for the backhoe. He also reminded Council that the State requires a reserve be maintained in those accounts and the City had been written up by the State last year for not having sufficient funds in reserve and he does not want to see that happen again this year.
After discussion as to various ways to finance the backhoe, Council addressed the purchase of a tractor with the capacity to serve as a smaller backhoe. Council agreed to advertise for bids for a tractor with that capacity.
In other business, Council:
**Was informed monthly invoices amounted to $67,798.94
**A survey of the Municipal Garage is waiting on new property descriptions;
**The Wreathes Across America is ongoing and is conducting a “buy one, get one” sale. The City voted to buy 10 wreaths and receive 10 free wreaths for a cost of $170.00;
**Learned that Robert Catto of 1001 N. Chestnut St. had come to the City because a retaining wall by his house is caving in. The Mayor and other officials had looked at the wall and determined it was on Cato’s property and therefore is his responsibility to repair;
**Agreed to purchase additional Christmas lights to replace old ones and continue to decorate more poles. The cost of the lights is $5,363 for 10 poles;
**Voted to purchase a new shotgun for the Police Department;
**Learned that renovation of the main floor in the old City building is pending specs;
**Approved the 2nd reading of Ordinance 24-002, State Code 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D;
**Read the Election Proclamation for the 2025 Municipal Elections on May 13. The Mayor and Council positions in both Ward I and II are up for election.
