LOXLEY, Ala. — Members of the Loxley Volunteer Fire Department were out in force to see the Town Council open bids for new fire apparatus.

Mayor Billy Middleton opened bids for a new pair of fire tanker-pumpers during Monday’s Town Council meeting.

The bids were: From Nafeco for the 2,500 gallon tanker-pumper was $417,731. The 1,000 gallon unit was $328,039. The bid from Sunbelt for the 2,500 gallon unit was $446,790, and $329,395 for the 1,000 gallon apparatus. Ferraro bid $365,954 for the 2,500 gallon vehicle and $259,345 for the 1,000 gallon unit.

“We want two tanker-pumpers,” said Fire Chief Tim Curry after the meeting.

A tanker-pumper is a large capacity tanker with pumping capabilities that can be used to bring water to areas where there are few or no fire hydrants, a situation Curry says exists in many parts of the town. 

“We want one that is 2,500 gallons, and on 1,000 gallon tanker-pumper,” said Curry, who added that the Loxley Volunteer Fire Department will put an older truck into reserve should the department get the new apparatus.

“We have to go back and look at the specs (that came in with the bids) said Curry.

Middleton agreed, adding that a decision on the tankers will come later.

Two public hearings on the rezoning of land in the town were on the agenda as well. All councilors, except for Derek Middleton, were present.

The first item was for what is called the “Loxley Commerce Center,” near Truck Route 17. No one spoke for or against the zoning change, which was accepted by the Council.

The second hearing, also for an amendment to the zoning ordinance involved property located at County Highway 55 and Packler Road. The developer, Kelly Professional Associates, wants the parcel to be rezoned from R-1B, single family homes to GPH1 or garden patio homes. The development, tentatively named “Maravilla Pointe,” raised a question from town resident Raymond Nieder who lives near the proposed subdivision.

“Are they going to put a ditch that runs north of the property?” asked Neider, also asking about another ditch on the east side of the land, citing drainage problems in the area.

“It’s never been on no plans, period,” continued Neider.

“The previous plans by the previous engineers did not show ditches,” said Jerry Kelly, the developer, who asked the Council to postpone action on zoning the development.

“We are actually doing a study right now, and I was going to ask … you to postpone a decision. My engineers in Atlanta still have not finished a study. … I don’t want to get into any problems. I want to do the responsible thing, and that is to wait at this time,” said Kelly.

The Council voted to postpone action. The matter will come up again in August.

In other action the Town Council:

— Voted to appoint Barbara Huff, Ruth Fore, Joan Black and Betty Fore as election officials for the August 26 election. Elsie Brown was appointed as alternate.

— Town Clerk Carol Middleton was appointed Absentee Elections Manager, and will be paid $50 per day each day her services are required.

— Passed a resolution accepting a proposal from Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood for landscaping around the interchange with Interstate 10.

— Awarded Sun Coast Builders the contract to build a public works barn/office building. Their bid was $162,721.00. Bids on the contract were as high as $245,749.

— Authorized opening a new town checking account at the Loxley branch of Citizen’s Bank.