Ironwood sells two fire trucks

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Ironwood — The sale of two Ironwood Public Safety Department fire trucks was approved by the city commission Monday for $13,500.

The 1987 Seagrave and 1981 Pierce Ladder trucks were sold to Sam Wagner, of Cross Plains, Wis.

IPSD director Andrew DiGiorgio said the trucks will be used in a logging operation.

DiGiorgio said the IPSD had been trying to sell the 1987 truck for two years and the ladder truck for about a year, without success, lowering the minimum bids until a buyer was found.

On another IPSD matter, the commission approved an $8,845 bid from JCS, Inc., of the L’Anse-Baraga area, for truck route weight restriction signs and installation. It’s the last phase of a plan to establish a new route for the big rigs through the city.

Two bids were received, with the other one substantially higher.

Commissioners also approved a request for proposal for an improved security system at the IPSD building.

DiGiorgio said the building was designed in 1986 and there are no longer employees in it for 24 hours a day, although the department is always on-call through a dispatching system. He said other law enforcement departments also make use of the building and suggested a card reader system might be needed.

The city’s insurance company might offer a grant to help cover some of the cost of a new security system, DiGiorgio said.

Seeking a request for proposals does not necessarily mean city commissioners will take action on a new system.

In the public comment portion of Monday’s meeting, Ironwood resident Don Maki said there is no need to upgrade the IPSD security system by putting “a Cadillac on a Chevrolet.” He also continued his opposition to the new truck route and suggested changes that he said would avoid potential accidents.