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IRON MOUNTAIN -- A highway safety grant will enable Iron Mountain to acquire new extrication equipment for the fire department at no cost to the city.
The council Monday approved buying the battery-powered Amkus rescue tools from Pomasl Fire Equipment of Antigo, Wis., for $41,301.
The grant from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning was secured through an application submitted by Jeff Friedenstab, deputy director of fire services. Major pieces include a cutter, spreader and combination tool.
The new equipment offers an advantage over hydraulic tools in that it's more portable, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said. Hydraulic tools to help extricate accident victims were developed in the early 1960s and nicknamed "Jaws of Life," now a registered trademark of HURST.
In other action, the council:
-- Will look to fill a vacancy on the Tree Board as Sally Jacobs has declined to seek reappointment. Virginia Feleppa, meanwhile, was reappointed to a three-year term. The council expressed appreciation to Jacobs for her dedicated service.
-- Learned that 25 deer have been culled through an ongoing managed archery hunt on designated parcels. "It's not doing enough," council member Ken Clawson remarked, sharing a sentiment voiced by Mayor Dale Alessandrini and council member Cathy Tomassoni that the herd is becoming more troubling. Stanchina said other options could be explored, but cooperation from Kingsford and Breitung Township may be needed.
-- Heard Alessandrini report that laborers' union LiUNA Local 1329 has several volunteer projects in mind, including a sidewalk replacement program in which homeowners would be responsible only for cost of materials. Details will be announced as the plan is finalized. Other assistance may be available to the city through a building trades summer program for high school students, Alessandrini said.
-- Agreed to allow Lt. Jeff Bortolini, who is retiring from the police department Nov. 16, to keep his service weapon in lieu of receiving an engraved watch up to $200. The watch value will be placed as a credit toward the handgun, valued at $325, with the balance to be paid by the retiree.
-- Approved a $5,000 annual contribution to the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance.
Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.