VIDALIA — The Vidalia Board of Aldermen will move ahead with a nearly $595,000 natural gas line extension that will provide service to the town’s industrial park and port after aldermen voted 4-1 to approve the project.

Alderwoman Sabrina Dore cast the opposing vote on the motion to accept a $200,000 grant from Delta Regional Authority and to have the extension installed.

Heather Malone, economic development director in the Miss-Lou, said $226,000 was earmarked for the gas line through a state grant for industrial project development. Malone said the remaining cost paid by Vidalia would be nearly $165,000.

Dore said she is in no way opposed to the gas line but voted against it because wording in the resolution would have removed the board from any future decisions.

“I didn’t vote against providing a gas line to the port, I voted against the second part of the agreement, which would grant the mayor the ability to approve all documents and contracts,” Dore said.

Vidalia Mayor Buz Craft said delayed bids were slowing the $8.3 million port project. He said the port is at 61 percent and expected to be completely operational by March.

In other action during Tuesday’s meeting, the board:

4Approved on a 4-1 vote with Dore opposed to purchase a lease on a new garbage truck at a cost of $3,397.02 per month. Craft said it is a three-year lease with a buy back option. Craft said the truck is International Harvester with a 25-yard rear-load body and a three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Craft said the lease was up on their current truck and the town likes to keep the garbage truck in good working condition.

Dore she voted against the measure because it was above what they budgeted toward the truck for the coming year.

• Craft presented a proposed 2018-19 budget to board members Tuesday night and said the budget would be available to the public today at City Hall.
• The board unanimously accepted bids that totaled $2,694.77 for four surplus police vehicles. A wood chipper received no bids and the board voted unanimously to scrap the item.
• The board discussed the findings of a Legislative Auditor’s Advisory Services Report issued to the town June 27 at Craft’s request.