BLADENBORO — Police Chief William Howell came before the board during their continued meeting Monday night with open hands asking for a solution for their spare vehicle.
“We have been getting some of the cars fixed,” Howell said. “Since then, while we get those cars fixed, the second Dodge Charger went out.”
That car is their spare, and Howell said that if they hire another officer and don’t have a backup, there could be an issue if the board waits to fix it in the next budget.
“We are going to have to do something to keep me a spare,” Howell said.
“I was recommending that we repair the Charger this year rather than waiting until July,” said Town Administrator Blake Proctor.
“I made a note about that and I know we had bought two vehicles this year,” said Mayor Rufus Duckworth. “What was that going to do to our final numbers for the current year if we do that?”
Town Clerk Melanie Hester looked at the budget for the year later in the meeting and said that she felt that they would be able to get it worked out.
“The only reason that I am recommending that is that I really don’t want them to be without a spare,” said Proctor. “That would mean they wouldn’t have a spare for May or June.”
Sarah Benson made a motion at the end of the night to put a Jasper rebuilt engine into the spare for approximately $7,000. The motion was seconded by Patsy Callahan and approved unanimously.
Bladenboro town board members (from left) Greg Sykes, Jeff Atkinson, Rodney Hester and Mayor Rufus Duckworth listen as Police Chief William Howell explains the problems with their patrol vehicles.
Bladenboro Police Chief William Howell asked the board to approve some expenses for a replacement engine for one of the police cars.