The council voted 7-1 to approve a two-year option on three parcels of land, located just off Howard Blvd., between 46th and 47th Ave, east of Cubbies gas station.  

The city will pay $100 for the right to purchase the land for $180,000. The city is waiting to buy the land until the voters pass a bond issue that would secure funding for a new fire station and police station.

City administrator Tara Vasicek said at the meeting, if the plan goes through to exercise the option for a new station, the city will look at using the currently unmanned Charlie Louis Station located on 424 8th St, in order to provide a fast emergency response to the entire city.

The new truck’s graphics, which were created by White Horse Graphics of Lairdsville, are just one of many features which stand out on the $925,000 vehicle.  

The department’s former truck, which was sold to a fire company in Coudersport, was 50 feet in length.

At 39 feet, the new truck will be easier to maneuver into tight spaces. The ladder on the new truck can be extended to 107-feet long, which is seven feet longer than the former truck’s ladder.

The truck, operated by RJ Corman Railroad Company, was traveling down the hill off Alton Station Road and slid through the stop sign on the snow-covered road and tore off a large corner section of the fire station.  

The driver was not injured, but the building sustained considerable damage and fire officials were working to shore up the corner.