Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9412160027
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-18 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Its Finance Committee learned that the Virginia Department of Transportation has increased Pulaski's appropriation for the current fiscal year by $43,259.
The state money goes toward operating expenses, equipment rental and other costs associated with street maintenance. It will be spent before the 1994-95 fiscal year ends in June; the town would lose it otherwise.
Pulaski Town Council will amend its street maintenance budget Tuesday to include the new money.
The committee also learned that the town's Public Works Department raised $20,000 from a Nov. 12 auction to dispose of excess town property.
Public Works Director Mike Jenkins recommended that about half of the proceeds be spent on a second-hand road tractor to replace the current 1956 model that will no longer pass inspection without significant repairs.
The committee will recommend that council approve the purchase of a 1982 model which town mechanics have inspected and found in good condition. The tractor is used to move the town's bulldozer to and from work sites.
The committee also will recommend spending part of the $78,000 received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on a dump truck, salter and blade. The cost will be $43,472.
Also during the meeting, Town Manager Tom Combiths recommended using space in the Municipal Building to house the town's newly created economic development office. He said the office could take over space previously used for a law library, at least at the start.
"I think it only makes sense," Finance Committee Chairman W.H. "Rocky" Schrader said, since the office will be a town agency. Mayor Andy Graham agreed, saying the location would be more efficient and less costly when compared with the expense of renovating an outside office.
Councilman Roy D'Ardenne was not so sure. He said the town needs to stretch available funding for its new economic development board as far as possible.
Roscoe Cox, who previously directed Pulaski's Main Street program, has been named interim director of the town's economic development board for the first six months of 1995. The board, once appointed, will choose its director starting with the 1995-96 fiscal year.
D'Ardenne expressed concern over the temporary nature of the arrangement. "We need to go into economic development hard," he said. "We need to turn Roscoe loose and let him go. He'll do it if we give him support."
Town Attorney Frank Terwilliger has completed a draft of bylaws as a starting point for discussions on setting up the board. The initial board will have 18 members, serving staggered terms.
by CNB