Brundidge Firefighters will be receiving almost $20,000 worth of new equipment soon courtesy of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant.

City Manager Britt Thomas said he hadn’t received word yet, but according to the DHS website, the grant has been approved.

The next step has been taken towards the procurement of another grant, worth $126,000, that would benefit the Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library.

A required public hearing was held at the council meeting and Thomas discussed some of the city’s plans for the money should the grant be approved.

The funds, which would come down from the USDA Rural Development Division, would have to be used to purchase non-construction items for the library such as furniture, bookshelves, computers and various electronic gadgets.

Thomas summarized a list composed by the library board that proposed specific items to be purchased.

Among those items were about $48,000 worth of furniture, $51,000 in shelving and nearly $14,000 in computers, printers, copiers and faxes.

Thomas said the status of the grant soon should be revealed soon.

“We expect to hear a definitive answer by the middle of this month,” he said.

Mayor Jimmy Ramage said the opportunity has come at the perfect time.

“We couldn’t have picked it any better,” Ramage said.

The grant will require a $40,000 match from the city, which Thomas said would be funded by monies already awarded by the Alabama Public Library Service.

In other business, the city council heard plans for a summer camp sponsored by East Central Mental Health (ECMH).

The camp will be held at Pike County Elementary School for grades K-6 from June 7, through July 30.

“The emphasis of this camp is to broaden the campers’ imaginations and perspectives,” said Community Outreach Specialist Jillianne Crescenzi, who presented the plan to the council.

To do that, Crescenzi has devised a comprehensive schedule for this year’s 70-plus participants.

“Each day there will be lessons and activities on conflict resolution, decision making, dealing with emotions, communication skills, accepting responsibility, etc.,” Crescenzi said.

“The campers will have opportunities to go outside and play and do arts and crafts inside.”

Additionally the kids will go on field trips and enjoy a free breakfast and lunch daily.

Crescenzi said along with ECMH, support from the City of Brundidge and Pike County Schools has been invaluable.

Qualified individuals are still encouraged to volunteer though.

To do so, they can get more details by emailing Crescenzi at: jcrescenzi@pikecountyschools.com.

“I hope to make this summer camp an exciting experience for all the campers where they will be free to imagine and learn in a fun and safe environment,” Crescenzi said.