Caneyville officials are counting on an up-front expense to save the city money in the long run.

At their meeting Monday, April 9, city commissioners approved spending $5,190 to buy a pull-behind dumpster trailer from Hayes Trailer Sales of Russellville.

The trailer will replace a large dumpster that the city has been renting — for $173 per month — for use at its wastewater sludge drying beds.

Utilities supervisor Avery Fleener said workers had been clearing off the sludge as it dried and storing it in the dumpster until they had a full load. The city would then call the firm that supplied the dumpster to have it hauled off.

With the smaller trailer, workers will be able to haul the dried, plastic-wrapped sludge to a landfill themselves. They won’t have the aggravation of trying to keep the dumpster covered with tarps, will be able to use the trailer for other hauling in an emergency, and will be able to simply park it in the middle of the drying beds. That will free up space where the dumpster is currently stored for other uses.

Fleener said the firm is asking for a 10 percent down payment before it will begin building the trailer. That process is expected to take at least six weeks.

Mayor James Embry asked if the city’s current trucks would be able to pull the trailer. Fleener said the one he wanted the city to buy could be pulled by a half-ton pickup.

In other action the commission:

* Learned work is starting on the current ball fields to get them ready for play, including dragging the field and repairs and cleaning of the restrooms and dugouts. Practices are expected to begin this week, and a co-ed fundraising tournament is being planned for later in the month.

Volunteers hope to begin bulldozing work at the new ball field complex later this week. The two-field complex is being built on six acres behind Caneyville Medical Center, and will also include a concession stand, restrooms, a walking track and a playground. The city recently bought land across the road to use for parking.

* Approved a loan agreement with the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority for $110,000 being used to help pay for the wastewater treatment plant overhaul. That work includes replacing the 30-plus year old plant’s mechanical equipment, replacing the aeration devices, and adding screening to help remove some floating debris from the oxidation ditches, and will be paid for through a combination of the loan, a $221,000 Community Development Block Grant and city reserves.