By Steven Stilt
The Wamac City Council on Monday evening approved the purchase of a new tornado siren. The purchase from Storm Sirens, Inc. totals $35,750; however, a USDA grant will cover 75 percent of the cost. Wamac officials have opted to place the new siren on city-owned property located on Franklin Avenue to more effectively alert residents in the event of a tornado. Mayor Jackie “Butch” Mathus says he hopes to receive formal approval from the USDA and to have the new equipment within two to three months.
In other business, the council approved an ordinance setting limits on when trash receptacles can be left out. The ordinance states that residents can put their trash bins out 24 hours prior to the designated pickup day, which is typically on Wednesday, and must retrieve the bins no more than 24 hours after pickup. Violators will be subject to an ordinance violation ticket.
The council also voted on Monday to accept a $158,000 lump-sum payment from Florida-based company Tower Alliance for perpetual access to city-owned property on which the company maintains a cellular tower. Mathus recommended accepting the lump sum and putting the funds into an investment such as CDs, rather than continuing to take a smaller monthly payment.
Council members also authorized Police Chief Steve Prather to submit an offer on a police vehicle being sold by the Village of Irvington. Prather told the council the vehicle is a fully-equipped 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe.
