City pays out $235K for pumper truck

The city made an investment into the future of firefighting Monday with the approval of a rescue pumper purchase at the council meeting.

The council approved the lowest bidder for the purchase of a 2007 E-One Spartan Rescue Pumper from Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus for the amount of $235,000 and authorized the mayor to enter into a sales agreement with a $5,000 deposit.

“We’ve got one we’re having mechanical problems with, and it’s just gotten to the point it’s not worth investing more money,” said Fire Chief Joe Mansell.

And having the proper equipment is crucial to maintaining the city’s recently-improved ISO rating, which is a measure of fire preparedness and prevention and impacts homeowners’ and business’ insurance costs.

“This was something we had to make happen,” Mansell said. He thanked the mayor and council for being proactive and seeing the importance of updated, functional equipment.

Among other actions, the council also:

– Accepted the resignation of Michael Hall from the Fire Department.

– Declared a vacancy for fire fighter and authorized advertisement to solicit job applications.

– Declared a vacancy for fire fighter II and voted to promote from within the Classified Service.

– Set Christmas Eve as a holiday for city employees within the Classified Service.

– Held an Executive Session on personnel issues.