Fire chief: $14.5K grant to purchase equipment

PHIL CAMPBELL — The Fire Department will receivea$14,489grantfrom the Northwest Alabama Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) to buy new hoses and other equipment.

Fire Chief Andy Marbutt said 32 sections of 1.75-inch hose, 25 sections of 3-inch hose, a hose washer and a hose drying rack will be purchased.

“That will help us out tremendously,” he said.

Marbutt also recommended the council members consider buying an ID-making machine to help emergency personnel obtain identification during crises.

He said the current process — going through the Franklin Sheriff’s Department for identification — is limited to business hours and often causes delays for his staff and volunteers.

He said a machine available online costs about $1,100 and includes the printer, cards, clips and other supplies.

In addition to helping during local disasters and mutual aid situations, he said the equipment could be also be used by the Police and Street departments, as well as city hall staff.

In other business conducted Sept. 16: Mayor Eddie Marbutt gave a brief update on the town’s plan to buy a block of deteriorating buildings downtown to either repair or demolish, depending on the final assessment of the buildings value.

He said the town has the necessary funds in place but cannot complete the purchase until the seller finalizes a divorce agreement that affects the property title.

“We got the original divorce agreement in (recently),” Marbutt said. “There’s still a few things that have to be worked out yet, but it’s very close.”

Marbutt said the town and the seller have agreed on a price, but it hasn’t been publicly disclosed.

He estimated the deal could close in about two weeks.

“It just depends on whenever they get everything signed,” he said.

The council also voted to appoint Kim Whitney to the Housing Authority Board, filling the vacancy left by Ashley Hartman’s resignation.