The Thorsby Town Council voted unanimously in its March 2 meeting to purchase and install a set of security cameras for the new shop.

The units are on sale through Sam’s Club for $399 through March 15, town superintendent Terry Jackson said.

The council, which saw councilman Neil Benson and councilman Randall Higgins absent, voted to purchase the system which is made up of eight cameras, a terabyte of hard drive for storage of images and has night vision up to 100 feet.

Jackson said he felt the town could cut on installation costs by putting the system in on its own.

“I think this is something we can do in house,” he said. “(We can) install it ourselves.”

Jackson cited previous thefts at the town’s old shop, and subsequent arrest as a need for the cameras.

Originally Jackson suggested two units, but Councilman Glenn Littleton recommended buying one unit to insure the effectiveness of the system.

Jackson also stated he planned to put up signs notifying potential trespassers of the camera system.

In other business, the council:

• Voted unanimously to amend the town’s “through truck” ban. Through trucks, such as dump trucks and 18-wheelers, will be banned from Concordia Street, from U.S. Highway 31 to Alabama Avenue, and Alabama Avenue, from Concordia Street to County Road 29.
The original ordinance was approved in 2014, approved because of safety concerns near the schools as well as citizens’ complaints. After the ordinance was challenge in court by a driver who was ticketed for violating the ban, the ordinance now specifies that those parking trucks in front of their residents must live within the city limits.
Summit Street was added to the ordinance.

• Voted unanimously to accept a recommendation from the planning commission to rezone two parcels of land along Third Street and Peterson Avenue from commercial to residential.

• Was presented an activity report from the department heads, including fire chief Lee Gunn, who stated the department received a 3.3 ISO rating.

• Heard from Jackson about the possible purchase of a used 2008 1/2-ton Ford pickup to replace a current vehicle that has a dropped valve in the engine. The potential truck is up for auction through Alabama Power, and has a value of $8,700 thorugh Kelley Blue Book, Jackson said.
Bidding on the vehicle is currently at $4,300, and the council recommended Jackson continue to monitor bidding, which ends March 12.

•Voted to pay all bills and transfer funds.