The Brundidge City Council voted at its Tuesday meeting to accept a proposal for the provision of professional services for the City of Brundidge 2019 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project. Using the city’s rating system, the council voted for Poly, Inc. of Dothan to provide the necessary engineering services for the CDBG application.

The council also voted to authorize Brundidge Mayor Isabell Boyd to sign all documents related to the execution of the contract pending the award of the 2019 CDBG. 

Linda Faust, city administrative assistant, said the state can grant up to $350,000 to fund eligible projects. If the grant is approved, the city’s match would be 10 percent.

At its previous May 21 meeting, the city council voted to seek combined CDBG funding for the demolition and cleanup of blight throughout the city including residential and commercial property and for water system improvements to replace four-inch water lines with six-inch water lines on three residential streets.

In other business, the council was informed by Faust that the relocation of the power lines in the wooded area of Johnson Street is forthcoming. The location of the power lines has caused numerous power outages over the years.

Also at its May 21 meeting, the council voted to award the contract for the relocation of the powerlines to Kings Table Powerline Service, Inc. in the amount of $59,186.

Council Member Margaret Ross, District 3, said she is anxious for the power lines to be moved and for the work needed to alleviate the runoff from the raised bed of Mims Creek to be underway.

“The residents in this area have been dealing with standing water in their yards for years,” she said. “We need to get this problem solved. It’s dry now, so it’s time.”

Arthur Lee Griffin, mayor pro tem, said six young people have been hired by the city as summer employees. Two are working at the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library under the leadership of Theresa Trawick, library director. Two are working at Pike County High School under the leadership of Willie Wright, principal, and two are at Pike County Elementary, under the leadership of Tracey Arnold, principal.

Brundidge Police Chief Moses Davenport said his officers are concentrating on patrolling the downtown and residential areas. The State Troopers are working the 55-mph area of Highway 231 and that frees the Brundidge PD to have a greater presence on the city streets.

Davenport said more tickets are being written.

“Our mission is to protect and serve,” Davenport said. “Speeding has been noted as a big problem in Brundidge. Writing tickets should slow the traffic in town and in the residential area.

The ‘Making Alabama’ Bicentennial Traveling Exhibition will be in Brundidge from June 10 until June 21 at the Pike County High School Arts Center. Hours are 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 4 until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Other days and times by reservations only. For reservations, call Brundidge City Hall at 334-735-2385.

Faust said the Brundidge Independence Day Parade will be Saturday, June 29. Lineup will be at 9 a.m. at the National Guard Armory. It’s a come, get in line kind of parade. Everyone is encouraged to make the Independence Day Parade part of their Fourth of July celebration.