At its Dec. 20 meeting, the Quitman City Council approved the Quitman Volunteer Fire Department’s (QVFD) request to order new fire bunker gear.

Twelve sets of new fire bunker gear are needed for the department. Suits have to be replaced every 10 years and the current set expires in March.

Fire Chief Scott Wheeler said this equipment is used for fighting house fires. He added that they plan to do four-year financing for the purchase. QVFD didn’t receive a grant this year, which would have gone to pay for the suits. The City of Quitman will be a type of cosigner for the purchase.

The council also voted to rescind a resolution from the November meeting awarding the Texas Community Development Block Grant engineering services to JCR Engineers LLC.

City Administrator/Secretary Andrew Kloefkorn said the selection process for how firms were chosen changed. In a new round of bids, four firms showed interest. A selection review committee narrowed the choices to four: Hayter Engineering, KSA, Hayes Engineering and JCR Engineers. The committee ultimately selected JCR, and the council approved.

Discussion on the Quitman Development Corporation funding a gas line at the Quitman Business Park was tabled.

QDC Executive Director Denea Hudman gave the QDC report to the council.

Hudman said there have been issues with rain while Stitchin’ Heaven is being built in the Quitman Business Park.

She also discussed how the park is in need of a gas line. The Shops at 107, located downtown next Tony B’s Texas Kitchen, also needs gas put in. Tenants are expected to begin moving in to the shops in about a week or soon after New Year’s. Your Appetites properties are coming along nicely as well.

Sam Scroggins gave the Wood County Industrial Commission report on the Dec. 6 meeting. He discussed three bylaw revisions approved by the WCIC board, but the changes still need approval from the Wood County Commissioners Court.