Brookhaven aldermen Friday hired a part-time grant writer toassist with a fire department grant application and possible futurefunding requests.

At a special meeting, Mayor Bob Massengill said the firedepartment is in the process of applying for an over $100,000 grantfor a mini-pumper. Massengill said it could be used to respond tosmaller emergencies rather than having to send one of thedepartment’s larger vehicles.

The board agreed to hire Holly Slay as a part-time grant writerto work on the fire department’s application and possibly others inthe future. Slay is expected to work several hours a quarter afterbeing trained.

“We’re not applying for grants real often,” Massengill said.”But when we do apply, we need someone who can write grants.”

Massengill said the grant application deadline is April 8. Hehoped to have the application ready to submit by the end ofMarch.

In other business, the board agreed to sell a small strip ofland near Enterprise Street.

The land, which was sold for $510, had come back to the city inthe mid-1990s after taxes were not paid. The strip served as adriveway for an adjacent piece of property that is in the processof being sold.