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The Jemison City Council approved a resolution to bring the city a new fire station with a $351,400 loan from Marion Bank and Trust.

The loan is a construction loan for six months, to be reimbursed by the United States Department of Agriculture at the conclusion of the six months.

The Council approved the resolution, which also includes authorization for opening a checking account and approving check signers, at an Aug. 6 meeting.

Mayor Eddie Reed said the USDA also previously awarded the city of Jemison a $50,000 grant to help fund the project.

Council members explained that the new fire station will be located on the east side of Jemison and will also serve as an office for the Jemison Police Department.

“Everything that needs serious protection … from a fire station is on the east side, where there’s no fire station. The only fire station that we have is on the west side,” Reed said, listing areas and businesses near Interstate 65, particularly across the overpass, as crucial areas for more proximal fire fighter service.

The resolution was approved unanimously.

In other proceedings, the Council:

• Adopted federal assistance for a community facilities loan grant from the USDA, amounting to $405,000.
• Approved a contract agreement to lease a citizen’s property for burning of limbs and brush, in order to keep smoke away from major roadways.
• Approved the purchase of a vehicle for Jemison School Resource Officers.