Anticipating the necessity for a brand new fireplace engine within the subsequent few years, the Sylacauga Metropolis Council just lately voted to professionally draft a grant request in order that the automobile will be bought with federal {dollars} if the request is accepted.
Council voted Thursday night to approve Hearth Chief Nate Osgood’s request for an settlement with JMCM Consulting to organize two Federal Emergency Administration Company Help grants to Firefighters. Throughout a run earlier than the Metropolis Council assembly, Osgood introduced that he needed an gear grant that might be used to buy thermal imaging cameras and a tool grant that might be used to buy the brand new truck.
Every grant will embody a 5 % native match and a 5 % grant writing price, which the municipality might be chargeable for paying if purposes are accepted. Matching funds are already included within the just lately handed funds.
He stated the town’s latest fireplace engine is a 2014 mannequin. As with many issues, the price of a hearth truck has no less than doubled since then.
If the instrument grant is awarded, it’ll cowl roughly $750,000 of a price of $850,000 to $900,000, not together with gear.
“It is a alternative grant,” he stated, “so we should use the brand new truck to switch one among our outdated vehicles. We can switch among the gear from the outdated truck to the brand new truck. However the outdated truck can also be a spare truck, so we cannot have all of the gear we’d like. ”
Osgood stated that when the council approves the applying, the applying might be submitted instantly, however they will not know till the top of the yr as soon as the brand new truck has been ordered if the grant has been awarded. And as soon as ordered, it’ll take no less than three years for supply.
Even when the grant will not be awarded by FEMA, the town will want a brand new fireplace truck inside the subsequent three years.
We’re presently pushing our 10-year time-frame,” he stated. If the grant will not be awarded, the brand new truck might as an alternative should be transferred to the town’s long-term capital enchancment funds.
After the second assembly in February, the Council will maintain a working assembly to debate the capital funds.
Additionally, on Thursday
— Mentioned 4 drainage enchancment initiatives, all presently within the design section.
— Mentioned however no motion taken, Discovering somebody to show CPR on the Group Middle.
—Agreed to obtain up-to-date quotes on cameras for the city store, fireplace division, animal management, and city corridor.
— I heard the brand new Publix and Lloyd’s places are prepared for ultimate pre-opening inspections.
— Held public hearings to debate the annexation and zoning of properties on Rocky Street, Marble Metropolis Heights Circle, Oak Road, and the Outdated Birmingham Freeway.
– Carried out a public listening to on a proposed zoning change.
— Authorised the acquisition of a high-roof Ford Transit van for the transportation program with an area match of $17,930.
— Set a public listening to date of February 23 for rezoning the Coaling Street property.
— Renewed a grant settlement for packages for seniors with the East Alabama Fee on Regional Planning and Growth.
