Cobbtown votes to purchase 18.74 acres for fire station

The City of Cobbtown voted several months ago to build a new fire station to accommodate the new $250,000 fire truck the town will soon be purchasing. The current fire station is too short in length and height for the newer model trucks. In January, the council voted to again move forward with considerations of property, and Monday, following an executive session, the council agreed to move forward with a plot of land across from the Cobbtown Mall totaling 18.74 acres.

The property, which has access from Church Street and Highway 121, is zone agriculture. When asked if it would need to be rezoned, Mayor Collins said he did not know. Another citizen asked why so much property was needed for a fire station and Mayor Collins explained the only other option was a property with 8.64 acres.

The goal is to store the fire equipment on the property in a new building built at the expense of the city and use a portion of the land to store other city equipment used for streets and waste management. Mayor Collins expressed his desire to lease the remaining land to other businesses at a later date.

Council’s vote was not to purchase the property just yet, but to have City Attorney Van Cheney “do what needs to be done so it can be purchased,” according to Mayor Collins.

The cost is $60,000. Bank statements from the City ending 12/31/15 show a Cash on Hand balance of $96,939.74

City Attorney Van Cheney was not present at the meeting to answer questions, but is expected to attend the March City Council meeting on March 7.