Clanton closer to new fire ladder truck

Published 9:52 pm Monday, May 11, 2009

Bids opened Monday night for a new ladder fire truck for Clanton’s Fire Department ranged from a low of $902,264 to $872,000.

The city council tabled the discussion of the bids until the bids could be checked to make sure all meet specifications. The bids were for the ladder truck only. The truck, when purchased, will have to be equipped.

The low bid for the new truck was submitted by Profire of Pelham. KME of Pennsylvania submitted the higher bid for the new truck. Both companies submitted bids on trucks that have been used as demonstration trucks. KME’s bid on the demo truck was $841,264 and Profire’s demo truck bid was $799,500 for one vehicle and $836,250 for a second proposed demo truck.

In other business the council approved a resolution that will make application for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to be used to rehab the city’s sewer system in the West End area of the city. The city will have to provide 20 percent of the total grant. “I don’t know any better place to use the grant funds,” Mayor Billy Joe Driver said, adding “considering all the infiltration of water we have in that area.”

The council also approved a grant application for $200,000 to be used (if awarded) to purchase equipment for the fire department. The city will have to match up to 10 percent of the grant.

Scotty Mims was approved to cut grass for the city this summer. The council set its next meeting for Tuesday, May 26, at 5 p.m. It changed the meeting due to the Memorial holiday.

It also approved a motion to allow the city to participate in a National League of Cities’ drug card program for citizens. The program is designed to help citizens purchase needed medicines at reduced rates.