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Chelsea council discusses ‘big ticket items’ on the horizon

by

Erica Techo

Erica Techo

In preparation for future potential purchases, Mayor Tony Picklesimer took time during the pre-council portion of the Feb. 6 Chelsea City Council meeting to discuss high-cost purchases in the city’s future.

“We have several big ticket items that are in our immediate future,” Picklesimer said.

As part of its capital plan, the city has discussed establishing two new fire stations — one near Chelsea Park and one near the intersection of Shelby County 47 and 49. The city is leaning toward renovating a building on Shelby County 51 and making it Chelsea Fire Department Station #3, and building Station #4 at the intersection of Shelby 47 and 49.  

While the renovation for future Station #3 is only in the design phase, Picklesimer said there is a purchase the council needs to consider — a new ladder truck.

“With every addition of a fire station is the addition of a fire truck. With our efforts to bring in a hotel, or more than one, it’s going to be a four-story building. We need a 107-foot ladder truck,” he said.

The lead-time for a ladder truck is 14 months, Picklesimer said, meaning a purchase would need to be made sooner rather than later.

“They’re expensive, and they take a long time,” Picklesimer said, adding that the truck would cost around $1 million.

Also on the horizon are needs for a new Citizen Observer Patrol vehicle and a contribution to the upgrade of the Shelby County 911 radio system.

One of the COP vehicles recently died, Picklesimer said, and the city last purchased a car for the volunteer patrol group in 2014. Picklesimer did not have details on the cost of a vehicle, but noted that it would possibly be a Chevy Tahoe.

The Shelby County 911 Radio System upgrade is system and county-wide, Picklesimer said, and will cost more than $1 million. Chelsea’s share of that cost is around $48,900, he said.

While none of those items came before the council at its Feb. 6 meeting, there were a few purchases included on the regular agenda.

One purchase was for a new fire hydrant for the new Chelsea Public Library, which will be located in the old Renasant Bank building on U.S. 280. In addition to the hydrant, however, the city also needs to put in a 30-inch line, Picklesimer said, bringing the cost up to $34,700.

The requirement for the new line came from Shelby County Water Services, he said, because they determined the water source and flow was not sufficient for a hydrant.

“They are requiring us to put in a 30-inch line. We’re basically doing some Shelby County Water infrastructure,” Picklesimer said, adding that he had conversations with the county and does not believe the project should solely be the city’s responsibility.

“I’m not happy about it, but what can I do,” Picklesimer said.

The council unanimously approved the resolution to purchase the fire hydrant.

Also at the meeting, the council:

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