AUBURN, Ala. (EETV)- Free city services were approved for the residents of Auburn during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
New improvements to the city through the addition of sidewalks and emergency services were also approved by the Council.
Free trash pickup for large piles of yard debris was approved for the 14th consecutive year.
“Trash Amnesty Month,” as titled by the city of Auburn, will begin on March 19th and last until April 27th in the upcoming year.
The program, previously lasting for a week, according to Mayor Bill Ham, has expanded this year for the purposes of beautifying the city.
“We’ve got so many areas in Auburn that are large lots of several acres, and there are so many limbs or debris and stuff to clean up that if people put them out, usually they pay extra to get that cleaned up,” said Ham. “It costs the city money, but, ultimately, the city looks better and people are more willing to get it cleaned up.”
Pick up for bulk piles of garbage will be free throughout the indicated period of time, waiving the typical fee for piles that exceed five cubic yards.
Trash pickup delays are to be expected throughout “Trash Amnesty Month,” according to the City of Auburn.
Further improvements to the city’s physical appearance were approved by the Council.
A potential sidewalk plan was announced pending the acceptance of a grant through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).
The proposed sidewalk will begin at Timber Trail Apartments and run on both sides of Commerce Drive, intersecting at Mall Boulevard to end in front of Dillard’s Department Store.
“We’ve heard from a few citizens who are interested in having it over there,” stated Councilman Brent Beard. “It will provide good connectivity to the mall, so you could access a lot of commercial without having to get in a car, and it will be used a lot for leisure.”
The city of Auburn will have the ability to implement the proposed sidewalk plan upon approval of the grant.
Once approved, the sidewalk project will begin immediately, costing the city 20 percent of the funding.
Additions expected to begin immediately, however, were also approved during the meeting.
An “emergency repair” was approved for the repair of a city fire truck.
The damaged fire truck is the tallest engine owned by the city of Auburn, according to City Manager James Buston, boasting a 95-foot ladder.
The council’s decision approved the purchase of the repairs, though the engine was taken for repair in October.
The fire engine has returned to active status and is currently in use.
