Aldermen OK funds for tractors

Aldermen on Monday, April 20, unanimously approved a resolution to amend the city budget and appropriate $100,000 for two tractors lost in the March 29 fire at the Street Department. The vote was part of a special meeting held to address the city's need for street equipment with summer rapidly approaching.

The resolution originally was written to allocate $500,000, but after a lengthy discussion, aldermen felt more comfortable amending the budget now for less money and a specific purchase. The money will come from the general fund.

Mayor Peter Christie said he wants to address summer maintenance first. He said he was concerned that the Street Department did not have adequate equipment to mow and maintain the city's right of ways.

"My greatest concern is that we've got no way to cut the grass," Christie said.

Mike Button, Street Department superintendent, said he thinks he can purchase two tractors for about $60,000. The two John Deere tractors lost in the fire were estimated at about $25,000 each, according to data from the council work packet.

The preliminary report on the Street Department fire estimated about $600-700,000 worth of damage, Christie said April 3. The cost includes eight pickup trucks, one dump truck, a street sweeper, two large tractors and other assorted equipment was lost, according to memo Button provided to aldermen.

An investigation into what caused the fire is ongoing.

n EXHAUST REMOVAL -- Crews at Fire Station No. 2 can breathe easy.

Aldermen unanimously approved a contract with Air Cleaning Technologies to install a source capture vehicle exhaust removal system at the station, located at 8300 Trafalgar Road.

The $40,000 system will remove the noxious fumes left behind when a truck exits the station, Sims said, and cut down on high propane bills. Currently at Station No. 2, a makeshift fan system pumps the carbon monoxide out of the engine bay.

However, when the system starts, the engine bay loses its heat, Sims said in a memo addressed to the council.

During winter, that means the propane heaters ignite every time the truck leaves, about 90 times per month, according to Sims' calculations. The city pays about $1,000 per month in propane bills for Station No. 2.

General News on 04/22/2015