Hamilton pays its share for new communications tower

HAMILTON — The City of Hamilton approved its portion of the costs associated with the new communications tower used by firefighters in Marion County at its Monday, March 2, city council meeting.
Hamilton’s portion was $16,740, paid for by funds from the Hamilton Fire Department’s 3 Mill Tax Fund Account. Hamilton Mayor Tami Lewis Williams noted the city would save $3,000 by paying in a lump sum, instead of making payments over time.
The communications tower, also known as a radio tower, is located on County Highway 135 in Guin and was put up last fall by the Marion County Firefighters Association.
There is a fire repeater on the tower, as well as a law enforcement repeater.
Each volunteer/
county fire department, as well as all of the city fire departments, are splitting the cost evenly for the tower.
The city also paid $600 in annual communications dues to the firefighters association for miscellaneous costs from throughout the year. These costs were also split among the city and volunteer fire departments.
The president of the Marion County Firefighters Association is Jeremy Prestage, who is also the chief of the Byrd Volunteer Fire Department.
In other business, the council:
• Approved a recommendation to start taking applications for the position of a full-time firefighter for the Hamilton Fire Department. Interim fire chief Matt McCracken noted the posting is to fill an opening, and is an already funded position. The mayor said applicants who are currently certified need to attach their certifications to their applications. Those who are not certified will need to attach a verification of the successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test. She also noted applications may be picked up and returned to Hamilton City Hall.  The deadline for applications is Friday March 13, before 5 p.m.
• Approved the purchase of a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck from McSweeney Auto in Clanton for $42,173 to be used by the Hamilton Sanitation Department. The mayor noted this is a budgeted item.
• Went into an executive session to discuss pending litigation for approximately 10 minutes.