Commissioner take-aways: Fire trucks, mental health and building upgrades

Vicki Hyatt, The Mountaineer, Waynesville, N.C.
·2 min read

Feb. 10—The Haywood County Board of Commissioners met Monday, Feb. 6. Here are some of the actions approved.

New pumper

The Fines Creek Fire Department is on the cusp of upgrading its vehicle fleet with a new pumper and tanker truck, equipped with a 1,800-gallon tank and the capability of pumping up to 1,500 gallons a minute. Fire Chief Marion Ferguson asked county commissioners to green light the $400,000 purchase.

The department will put $120,000 down and borrow $282,000 over a 12-year period. Home Trust Bank will finance the purchase at an interest rate of 4.25% with monthly payments of $2,503.

The new truck will bolster the aging fleet where trucks range from 16 to 32 years old, Ferguson said. The current fleet includes a 2016 pickup truck used for medical response, a 2012 brush/rescue truck, two fire engines, one a 2007 model and another 1991 model, 1992 tanker. The board approved the purchase.

Mental health

A budget amendment for a $1.1 million boost for mental health services was approved. Vaya Health will use the funds to serve at-risk county residents who have court involvement and no insurance. Part of the funding will be used to facilitate a drug recovery court expected to start in early March.

The funds will also be used to educate community residents on substance abuse as well as mental health prevention, treatment and recovery programs. Board members agreed the funding would be of great help and credited N.C. Rep. Mark Pless with helping procure the grant.

Building

improvements

The board awarded a $604,000 contract to Bolton Construction and Service of WNC, the lowest of three bids, for energy improvements and building upgrades to property on Paragon Parkway where the county health and human services and building-related offices are housed.

Appointments

The board appointed the following individuals to county boards:

—Vickie Reece to the Smoky Mountain Events Center board.

—Jennifer McSwain Martin to the library board of trustees.

—Courtney Tetrault to the Haywood County TDA 1% subcommittee in the Waynesville area.

—David Gildersleeve to the Haywood County planning board.