The city of Pembroke has been awarded a $625,000 federal grant to use toward youth drug-prevention programs in Bryan County.

Pembroke will receive the $625,000 over the next five years, Public Safety Director Bill Collins announced at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

“For a town like Pembroke to have $625,000, that’s a lot of money,” Collins said. “Even over five years, that’s still a lot of money.”

Along with funding drug-prevention programs, the grant will pay Collins’ salary, he said. The city will work with the Bryan County School System, local judges, the Department of Juvenile Justice and other agencies to coordinate programs aimed at keeping youths drug-free.

“There are all kinds of benefits to having this grant,” Collins told council members. “It would take hours to explain everything to you because it’s pretty complicated. I’m very excited about it.”

Pembroke will administer the grant, but the drug-prevention efforts will extend beyond the city.

“We will be providing programs county-wide,” Collins said.

Wastewater plant fix-up

In other business, the city plans to spend about $1,000 to repair some wastewater treatment equipment that is starting to show its age.

The city has been “having some issues with the aerators” at its wastewater treatment plant, said Keith Cook, Pembroke’s water and wastewater superintendent. He attributed it simply to wear and tear from the aerators being in service for about 11 years.

City leaders considered the options of buying new aerators or redoing the old ones, Cook said. Rebuilding them will cost about $1,000, he told council members, while a new pump would cost approximately $5,000.

“Right now the rebuild looks like the best option,” Cook said.

After Cook spoke, Mayor Mary Warnell presented him a certificate recognizing his 25 years as a city employee. Cook began working for the city of Pembroke on Sept. 13, 1990.

“Every time you turn on your water, you can thank Keith,” Warnell said.

Trick-or-treating hours

City Council set 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 31 as this year’s official trick-or-treating hours in Pembroke.

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year. Pembroke traditionally has set aside two hours for trick-or-treating starting at 6 p.m., Warnell said.

“I don’t see any point in changing it,” Councilwoman Diane Moore said. “I think 6 to 8 still gives them plenty of time, and it’s not too late.”

Recyclables pick-up change

Pembroke is changing its curbside recyclables pick-up day from Wednesday to Monday, City Administrator Dustin Peebles announced.

Peebles said Street Superintendent Larry Todd made the request in order to run his department more efficiently.

“Since it’s on Wednesdays now, it’s in the middle of the week, it kind of interrupts a lot of things that they do,” Peebles said. “So moving it to Monday will help him tremendously.”

The change will take effect on Oct. 12.

“That gives us ample time to notify the citizens,” Warnell said.