County decides against hybrids
By Matt Shaw
Published in News on September 22, 2004 2:00 PM
The Wayne County commissioners decided to go with diesel-powered cars rather than the hybrid gas-electric ones.
The board awarded a $100,950 contract to Joe Pecheles Volkswagen of Greenville for six diesel Volkswagens for the Environmental Health Department.
Frema Motors of Goldsboro bid for the contract but was over the Pecheles bid by $450. Commissioners expressed regret at not being able to give the contract to a local firm, but they're required by law to take the lowest qualified bid.
Originally, County Manager Lee Smith had planned to buy gas-electric hybrids. But his research showed that the diesels would get comparable mileage and would be cheaper to maintain, Smith said.
Hearings quiet
No citizens asked to speak at either of the public hearings Tuesday.
Afterward, the commissioners voted unanimously to rezone an acre at 149 Old Mount Olive Highway from light industry to community shopping. The site is an oil-change and auto repair business; the owner now plans to add a new building for automobile inspections.
The board also agreed to allow Sheriff Carey Winders to accept a $12,147 grant to spend on items that weren't included in the 2004-05 budget.
Stoplight
Also Tuesday, the commissioners did the following:
*Approved a resolution asking the state Transportation Department to install a stoplight at the intersection of Wayne Memorial Drive and Saulston Road.
*Agreed to apply to the N.C. Rural Center for a grant to extend a sewer line to the Georgia-Pacific plant off Old Mount Olive Highway.
*Proclaimed September as "Sickle Cell Awareness Month."
*Approved 2004-05 contracts with the county's 30 volunteer fire departments.