Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 21, 1991                   TAG: 9102220587
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BETSY BIESENBACH/ SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VINTON MAYOR CHARLES HILL HAS ASKED ALL TOWN

The work being done by American troops in the Middle East is "something we should support and be proud of," Hill said when making his request during a regular meeting of the Vinton Town Council Tuesday.

The town already is flying flags, which are usually reserved for special occasions, daily in its downtown area, he said. A flag also is on display 24 hours a day at the War Memorial.

In other action:

Council voted to accept a bid of $207,266 from Grumman Emergency Products, Inc. for a 1,500-gallon-per-minute pumper truck for the fire department. The actual cost will be $206,226 because of the deletion of a $1,000 piece of equipment that is no longer necessary, said Town Manager Brad Corcoran.

To keep the cost of the truck below the $200,000 budget allocation, the fire department will conduct fund drives to repay $6,226 within five years.

Council passed an ordinance to extend Cox Cable Roanoke's franchise for 60 days beyond the current Feb. 28 expiration. The ordinance is similar to ones passed recently in Roanoke and Roanoke County.

The ordinance also includes a 1-percent increase - up from 4 percent to 5 percent - in the franchise fee that the cable company pays to operate in the Roanoke Valley.

Council authorized the town's treasurer to destroy old bond records, and personal-property and real-estate tax tickets that date from 1962 to 1984 and are being stored in the old jail.

Council agreed to offer prizes of $50 to $150 to the three to civic groups or clubs that collect the most trash on Clean Valley Day, April 20.

Last year, said Councilman Don Davis, the town had a "very poor turnout." Council also decided to ask Mary Beth Layman, the town's special events coordinator, to contact clubs and civic organizations personally to generate interest in the annual cleanup day. Clean Valley Day and the Roanoke River cleanup, usually in November, will be combined this year.

Council heard a recommendation from Corcoran that a fire hydrant and a wall be removed from the mouth of an alley that runs behind the post office to allow large trucks to enter the alley. The work will cost $1,000, he said.

Hill recognized Mike Chewning, a captain in the Vinton Volunteer Rescue squad for his selection as chairman of the Roanoke Valley Rescue Chiefs Board.

Council granted raffle permits to Parents Without Partners' Chapter 230 and to the Botetourt Jaycees.

During a work session after the regular meeting council agreed to waive a fee for the use of spaces at the Vinton Farmers' Market for another year. Waiving the fee might help generate more interest in the project, Hill said.