Moultrie Fire Department firefighters and Moultrie city councilmembers stand beside the city’s new aerial fire truck Dec. 19. From left are Assistant Fire Chief Tyshon Reed, Firefighter Jonathan Arnette, Councilwoman Margaret Mathis, Firefighter Michael Reynolds, Councilmen Daniel Dunn and Cecil Barber, Sgt. Tyler Gershom, Mayor William “Bill” McIntosh and Councilwoman Lisa Clarke Hill.

MOULTRIE — “Do you remember when $1.2 million was a lot of money?” City Manager Pete Dillard asked as Moultrie city councilmen examined the city’s new fire truck last Tuesday, Dec. 19.

That’s how much the aerial fire truck cost when the city ordered it about 18 months ago. The truck was custom built by Sutphen Corp. of Amlin, Ohio.

“It has a place for everything and a thing in every place,” Dillard said.

Assistant Fire Chief Tyshon Reed said the ladder on top of the truck can extend 75 feet into the air to spray water down on a fire. The ladder can be set up in 60 seconds or less, and the nozzle on top of it can be remotely operated by a single firefighter on the ground.

As of Dec. 19, the truck was not in service yet. Reed said some equipment still needs to come in, and fire crews need to be trained to operate it before the department can start using it.

Dillard and Reed showed the truck off to city councilmen during a break between the city council’s work session and regular meeting Dec. 19. In other action during the meeting, the council:

• Approved a $12,500 bid for a dump trailer from Bishop Trailers of Moultrie.

• Approved a $207,387 bid for a new wheel loader from Dobbs Equipment of Valdosta.

• Approved a $148,045 bid for a new backhoe from Yancey Bros. of Valdosta.

• Approved first and second readings of three rezoning requests. First and second readings are a procedural motion to consider an issue; third and final readings, which are usually considered at the next council meeting, are the actual approval of the request. Jeter Partners asked that land located on Tallokas Road be rezoned from R3 (multi-family residential) to C1 (neighborhood business district). Baker Funeral Home, LLC, asked that land on Sunset Circle be rezoned from C3 (commercial district) to R2 (duplex residential district). William Avery Investments requested that land on Sunset Circle be rezoned from C3 (commercial district) to R2 (duplex residential district). City Councilman Cole Posey abstained from the last decision because he’s a participant in the project. Public hearings on all three projects are scheduled for the council’s 6 p.m. meeting on Jan. 16, and votes on the requests will be made after those hearings.

• Considered a right of entry agreement for a potential property lease. No details were provided during the meeting.

• Appointed city Finance Director Tina Coleman to the Board of Trustees, Retirement Fund.