Renovating the former fire station in downtown Hallowell so it can house the police department is one of the city’s top priorities this year, according to the mayor and city manager, CentralMaine.com reported. The voter-approved plan is estimated to cost up to $5 million.

The fire station renovation, which received strong voter approval in November, would include renovation of the nearly 200-year-old building, allowing it to house the police department and to continue housing the food pantry, all while leaving some additional room for community space, the report said.

Lamb said the city would need to budget at least $100,000 to $200,000 for architectural services, after which the project could go out to bid, the report said. Officials provided an overall project estimate of $4 million to $5 million on the ballot.

Bidding has begun on many of the items being auctioned by the Killeen (TX) government in an online event, including two fire trucks, kdhnews.com reported.

United Auctioneers conducts the event each year. Items listed on Wednesday also include a boat, several pickup trucks, eight Harley-Davidson motorcycles, ambulance, SUVs, filing cabinets, computer stations, televisions, chairs, vacuum cleaner and a drill kit, the report said.

The fire trucks — 1996 Freightliners — had received high bids of $50 and $550 on Wednesday. The minimum bid accepted on the surplus office items and 14 fleet vehicles is $5, according to the report.

According to city spokesperson, several items in the auction were seized by police, including the 2009 GMC Sierra, stepladder, three vacuum cleaners, Samsung, Vizio and Sharp televisions, portable DVD player, drill kit, circular saw, drill driver and toolbox.

The auctions help the city offload surplus inventory. Items are sold as-is. The full auction list is at https://bit.ly/3GCnln6.

The online auction is scheduled to end at 3 p.m. January 9.

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has exclusively learned that a large number of fire trucks in the city of Atlanta are out of service. Here’s the video report from Channel 2.

Channel 2 learned Monday that 14 of the city’s 45 fire trucks and engines, not counting the airport, were out of service. On Tuesday, 10 were out of commission, the report said.

Some of the out of service trucks need repairs and supply chain issues may be causing some of the problems, according to the report. Others are old with more than 100,000 miles, the report said.

A city official said he is working with the mayor’s office to buy new fire trucks. It could take 12 to 18 months to get new trucks.

“The flooding was major this morning (in the fire station),” Hartford Fire announced on Facebook January 3.

“Hartford Fire received a call for a vehicle in the water on Hamlin Chapel Road and when units arrived at Station 1 (Clay Street), they were instead met with flooding of their own.

“The station can be repaired. We are just thankful no lives were lost and no serious injuries to the public. Thanks for all the calls and messages from the surrounding agencies willing to give support.”