Ron Fukui, vice president of BCN Technical Services, Inc. received permission from the Hastings City Council Monday to put a smokeless gun powder and primer storage vault at the facility. BCN does work for the defense industry and it is a federal requirement to use the powder in the development process for small caliber ammunition manufacturing equipment.

 

Fukui said the powder burns quickly, but does not explode. The risk posed by the material is low, especially compared to common explosives like aerosol cans and propane, he said. Hastings Fire Chief Roger Caris had no objections to the storage of the powder.

 

The company has an upcoming requirement and has purchased an authorized storage vault they plan to store outdoors in a fenced-in area in the front of the business.

Fukui has discussed the powder locker with the ATF. BCN hold Class 10 and 11 Federal Firearms Licenses and are in compliance with ATF guidelines.

 

In other business, the council agreed to a contract to pay Consumers Energy for the installation of new LED fixtures in place of failed and inefficient high pressure sodium streetlights in the city and a second contract that removes the high pressure sodium lights from the standard lighting contract, in effect amending the first contract, City Manager Jerry Czarnecki said.

 

The council approved paying the budgeted amount of $9,106.21 to pay for school crossing guards, which is one half of the cost that is shared with the Hastings Area School system.

 

Also, they appointed Clerk/Treasurer Jane Saurman as Officer Delegate and Police Chief Jeff Pratt as Officer Alternate Delegate to the Municipal Employees Retirement System annual conference in October.