Improvements by the New Boston Special Industrial Corporation (SIDC) were among many of the actions voted on during the regular meeting of the New Boston City Council last week.
The council unanimously approved a resolution to award Derek Hawkins Excavation and Construction, LLC, the bid to clear and improve drainage at the Eaves property now owned by the SIDC.
“We’re getting ready for development and this was not included in our current budget,” said Lee Elliott, SIDC executive director. “What we’re looking to do is clear it and make sure the drainage is there. That way when someone’s ready to build, they can move more quickly.”
The bid by Hawkins, Elliott said, was $28,400, almost $8,000 less than the second bid. This bid, Elliott added, does not have the need of working with the fire departments to burn any debris.
The project is expected to be completed by August 1.
Additionally, the council approved an ordinance allowing the SIDC, a type A economic development corporation (EDC), to undertake projects unable to be funded by the Community Development Corporation (CDC), a type B EDC.
“Type A EDC is predominantly or limited to industrial manufacturing, warehousing and commercial purposes. Very specific in state law. Type Bs can actually do retail and quality of life plus everything that type As can do. If you’re in a city of less than 7,500, type A can also do type B,” Elliott told the council. “If we need more quality of life, the CDC needs more money, it gives them the ability to help out with those areas.”
The council also approved two resolutions to update investment policies for both the city and the SIDC to make sure tax dollars are invested wisely.
vestment policy was a formality that needed to be undertaken, the city’s investment policy will show an improvement of 11 points higher return on investment than the previous policy, city officials said.
In other business, the city approved abandoning two small tracts of land which had previously been deemed rights-of-way for possible city streets. No streets were ever built on those tracts. Abandoning the plots of land will allow homeowners the availability to sell their properties.
The council agreed to table action on installing tracking devices on city owned vehicles until they are able to investigate insurance savings the devices would provide.
Shaka Bowie requested discussion of contracting emergency medical services inside the city to better facilitate emergency needs when LifeNet was unavailable, however the council decided not to take further action because of costs.
