Cloudy skies. High 73F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph..

Rain showers in the evening will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 64F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.

A municipal knuckle-boom truck picks up yard and bulk waste on June 29 along School Street.

A municipal knuckle-boom truck picks up yard and bulk waste on June 29 along School Street.

The City of Rocky Mount’s efforts to improve sanitation service are going to receive a boost.

That is because the City Council on Monday night quickly voted for the purchase of four new knuckle-boom trucks so municipal crews can continue to collect bulk waste such as limbs and household furnishings piled at curbsides.

The cost will be $776,136 and the trucks will be purchased from Carolina Environmental Systems Inc. via an N.C. Sheriffs’ Association group purchasing program bid. The program is open to city and county governments as well as sheriff’s offices.

Interim City Manager Peter Varney told the Telegram on Tuesday in email correspondence that the municipality presently has six knuckle-boom trucks, four of which are assigned to the Environmental Services Division, one of which is assigned to the Streets Division and one of which is assigned to park maintenance.

All six of the trucks are worn out, Varney said.

The municipality months ago ordered six replacement trucks from another vendor, with the delivery expected in September 2023.

Varney told the newspaper that he and his team found a vendor who has four trucks available now. He said the delivery of two of those trucks is expected around the beginning of next month and that the delivery of the other two is expected in early 2023.

Varney said the municipality is canceling the order of four of the six trucks from the original vendor but that the original vendor will still deliver two of the trucks in September 2023.

The vote came near the end of the City Council’s regular meeting on Monday night after a motion by Councilman Lige Daughtridge and a second by Councilman Richard Joyner.

Moments before the vote, Councilman Tom Harris spoke about noticing in the council’s informational packet that two of the trucks would perhaps be available by the end of next month.

Harris said that would be a wonderful day and added, “Let’s get some pictures in the paper.”

Mayor Sandy Roberson, who chairs the council regular meetings, chuckled and said, “Very well. So noted. Thank you.”

Varney, a former longtime assistant city manager, became interim city manager as a result of Rochelle Small-Toney on Jan. 20 having announced her retirement after having served as city manager since 2017.

Delays in the collection of garbage occurred during the latter part of Small-Toney’s time in office.

Throughout the summer, Varney, as part of his update to the community during the early part of City Council regular meetings, has been providing updates about the sanitation service.

Shortly after the start of the council regular meeting on Monday night, Varney told the council and the viewing audience that last week the municipality was not able to collect any containerized yard waste at all.

Six members of work crews were out due to the coronavirus and there also were numerous difficulties with equipment, Varney said.

The municipality did collect all garbage and recyclables last week and this week the municipality has yard waste collection crews back on staff and also has some of the equipment available again, Varney said.

As a result, the municipality expects to be able to collect garbage, recyclables and containerized yard waste, he said.

He also said the city has two knuckle-boom trucks being used to collect bulk waste.

“So we should be able to make some headway with that,” he said.

www.RockyMountTelegram.com 1151 Falls Road Suite 2008 Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Main Phone: 252-446-5161 Customer Care Phone: 252-329-9505

Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.

Check your email for details.

Invalid password or account does not exist

Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.

Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.

A receipt was sent to your email.