Commission approves new fire truck

Jan. 25—ASHLAND — The Ashland Fire Department is getting a new fire engine.

During Thursday's commission meeting, the mayor and commissioners approved the $1.1 million purchase.

The agreement will be between the city and Sutphen Corporation for a heavy monarch package fire truck.

Commissioner Cheryl Spriggs, who called Fire Chief Steve Alley to the front of the chambers to speak earlier about recent ice-rescue training in Central Park, requested Alley to the microphone again during the consent-agenda portion.

"Tell us why we're doing this so people know why we're doing this," Spriggs said.

Alley said the particular truck the fire department will replace has had motor issues repeatedly.

"It has reached a point where it currently has a blown motor," Alley said.

Alley said AFD approached the finance department about whether AFD should continuously repair the truck or purchase a new engine.

Alley couldn't predict a timeline of the addition of the new engine to the fleet, but it could be quite a while because of a "back log" dating back to the COVID pandemic.

"We have time to budget this in," Spriggs said. She asked if AFD has a truck to cover for the time being. Alley said AFD is push a reserve engine "into the front line."

Commissioner Josh Blanton said AFD's grant-writing has saved the city about $1.2 million, which essentially covers this cost.

Other highlights from Thursday's meeting:

—Commissioners approved a $50,000 minority loan to Jerk Riley's Billiards and Pub, LLC, to be paid from 2023 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The five-year forgivable loan requires job creation of two full-time equivalent jobs during the period of the loan. Jerk Riley's, which is not yet open, is located along Greenup Avenue.

—The board approved amending an ordinance to allow the keeping of farm animals (non-household) as a conditional use in certain residential zones for educational institutions, per a planning commission recommendation.

As commissioner Amanda Clark noted, this change is to accommodate a program for Ashland Blazer High School.

—City Manager Mike Graese provided an update on the Winchester Avenue streetscape project. Reopening of Winchester between 14th and 17th Streets is slated for Jan. 29. The mini-roundabouts at the 15th and 16th Street intersections are installed. Graese said there will be a "short reprieve" prior to constructing the mini-roundabouts at 17th and 18th Streets.

—Spriggs questioned the addition of a public service officer for parking enforcement, and she made a motion to table it until budget-planning time because the salary is $33,250 with $30,054 of benefits. Graese proposed that the commission move forward on it because it would take about four months to make a hire. Police Chief Todd Kelley said it is "not only a technical position," but it will be around a good deal of sensitive information.

The motion failed on account of a lack of a second.

—The AKY Citizens Akademy — an informational meeting about the city's inner-workings — is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 6. Registration is closed. The number of participants was capped at 15, according to the city manager.

(606) 326-2664 — asnyder@dailyindependent.com