CRAB ORCHARD — The volunteer fire department in Crab Orchard will be getting a couple upgrades thanks to approximately $9,200 in spending approved by the city commission.
Mayor Billy Shelton said city commissioners approved the purchase of seven new digital radios — five handheld units and two vehicle-mounted units — at the commission meeting Dec. 6.
The radio upgrade, which will cost about $5,700, was made necessary by an impending federal mandate from the Federal Communications Commission requiring all agencies to upgrade their radio communications by Jan. 1, 2013.
City commissioners also approved paying $3,520 for the installation of a new 12-by-20-foot storage unit for the fire department's equipment, Shelton said.
"The one they've got is just about full — and dilapidated," he said.
The Crab Orchard City Commission also:
• approved purchasing a used, one-ton dump truck for city use at a cost of $3,900; and
• paid off the approximately $44,000 balance of a 2004 loan taken out to make water and sewer improvements.
