OHATCHEE, AL — The Ohatchee Town Council met Tuesday, June 23, and approved several items related to town operations, equipment purchases and upcoming community events, including a new tractor for the maintenance department and the surplus of three former police vehicles.
Prior to the regular meeting, council members discussed plans for the town’s upcoming Independence Day celebration, including event logistics, entertainment, food service, face painting, inflatables and fireworks safety zones. Council members also reviewed plans for setup and site preparation ahead of the event.
During the regular meeting, the council approved an amendment to a previously authorized tractor purchase. The original approval, made June 9, was for $100,000 or less. The amended purchase increases the amount to $178,218.60 through a lease-purchase agreement consisting of three annual payments of $59,405.87 and a final $1 buyout payment.
Town officials said the new John Deere tractor will replace aging equipment that has been in service for approximately 25 years and will feature an 18-foot boom, enclosed cab and additional safety features. Officials noted the tractor is expected to be assembled and operational by mid-July, pending final delivery and setup.
The council also approved the minutes from its June 9 work session and regular meeting, as well as minutes from a June 14 public hearing concerning a proposed senior transportation van project. Town officials reported that the grant process for the van remains ongoing, with additional information expected in the coming months.
Council members discussed a recent meeting with the Alabama Department of Transportation regarding the Harts Ferry project and acknowledged that state grant and infrastructure projects often involve lengthy review and approval timelines.
In other business, the council approved declaring three former police vehicles surplus property, including two 2020 Chevrolet Tahoes and one 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe. The vehicles will be sold through appropriate surplus channels after being removed from the town’s inventory.
The meeting concluded after council members discussed final preparations for the town’s Fourth of July festivities and community participation activities.
