Fire department donates equipment to Weatherford Fire Academy

The Weatherford City Council on March 26 approved a motion of donate used fire department equipment to the Weatherford College Fire Academy for training purposes. 

Weatherford Fire Department Chief Jonathan Peacock asked the council for this approval for equipment including two hydraulic hoses, one power plant, one ram, a spreader, and one cutter. The equipment is about 17 years old and is valued between $2,000 and $4,000.

The motion for donation of the equipment was approved by all city council members. City Council member Matt Ticzkus remarked about the great partnerships that exist in the Weatherford community. 

“One of the things that I think makes our community great is the strong partnerships that we have between some of the different entities like the city, the college, the school district, and I think that this continues to communicate that,” Ticzkus said.

Also at the meeting Director of Development and Neighborhood Services Kaleb Kentner approached the council and discussed the 2023 Weatherford housing analysis project updates. He said the planning and zoning commission reviewed and updated the analysis which included new data of percentage of existing housing occupied by renters versus owners. 

“We went through and made all the changes that were discussed in the joint meeting and the planning and zoning commission did hold a meeting and reviewed this project,” Kentner said. 

Kenter then showed the council a spreadsheet of the past housing analysis and a spreadsheet of future housing development plans. This includes more multifamily housing to accommodate the explosive growth in Weatherford’s housing market that was noted in this spreadsheet. 

On this spreadsheet, there are at least three housing projects under construction, four completed and one project that has city permits approved. 

“I’d just like to thank the planning and zoning commission for all their hard work, the staff for all their hard work,” Council member Heidi Wilder said. “ I think this will really keep us focused, it will keep us up to date. We won't be wondering where we are. We are very focused and drilled in.”