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Decatur board approves mini-excavator purchase, delays action on ladder truck; park movie night OK'd
Summary
Council approved buying a mini excavator and trailer from the Water & Sewer fund, agreed to postpone a decision on a new ladder truck pending cost details, and granted the parks board permission to hold a movie night on Oct. 23.
The Decatur Mayor and Board of Aldermen approved a purchase of a mini excavator and trailer for Water & Sewer operations and gave permission for a park movie night at their July 14 meeting. City staff said the trailer dimensions allow it to be stored in the municipal garage and that a small dump truck could tow it. The purchase was approved by roll-call votes announced during the meeting.
The fire chief outlined three approaches to the department's ladder truck problem after a recent sale fell through: a turnkey demo truck (roughly $770,000 with trade), a lower-cost demo option (about $550,000), or refurbishing the existing ladder truck (estimated immediate repairs of $25,000–$30,000 but larger long-term maintenance expected). The chief warned that demo trucks are in production lines and can be sold to other departments before a municipality can finalize its spot in line, and the board asked for a workshop and more detailed financing information rather than making an immediate purchase.
The parks board requested and received permission to stage a movie night at the town park on Oct. 23. Councilors voted in favor of the event.
Next steps: public-works staff will take delivery of the mini excavator and confirm fit; the fire department and staff will provide detailed cost and financing options for a future workshop; parks staff will finalize logistics for the October movie night.
