The Charleston City Council on Tuesday voted to close several streets for Independence Day celebrations and approved the purchase of a new sewer jet truck for the city.

The council also approved a permanent easement to lay a water service line and voted to grant tourism funds for upcoming events.

The council voted unanimously to approve a raffle license and street closings for Red, White and Blue Days and Habitat for Humanity’s Four on the Fourth Foot Race:

July 3-4, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

•Pierce Avenue from Division

Street to Second Street

•Division Street from Pierce

Avenue to Lincoln Avenue

July 4, 7-11 a.m.

•First Street from Polk Avenue to

Pierce Avenue

July 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

•Polk Avenue from Sixth Street to

Seventh Street

•Monroe Avenue from Sixth Street

to Seventh Street

•Jackson Avenue from Sixth Street

to Seventh Street

•Seventh Street from Jackson to

Avenue to Monroe Avenue

•Sixth Street from Monroe Avenue

to Polk Avenue

•Division Street from Polk Avenue

to Grant Avenue

The council also voted to approve the purchase of a new sewer jet truck from Vac-Con. Mayor John Inyart said the truck will better suit the needs of Charleston.

Inyart said the truck is used to clear gutted pipes through the use of suction or high-powered water blasts. The truck can also be used to cut roots that might obstruct the city’s pipelines, he said.

Inyart said the city is getting $45,000 trade-in value for the old sewer jet truck and the new one will cost $252,000, which will be financed locally at around 3 percent interest.

He said council members looked at two trucks with two different companies before deciding on the Van-Con sewer jet truck.

“I think we have determined that many of these features are going to be advantageous to the operators as well as extend the life of the equipment,” Inyart said.

The council also approved an easement costing $655,000 to pay residents for the use of their property on Kimberly Drive to lay the water service line.

The water service line will run to the VFW Park, 1821 20th St.

The council also approved a raffle license for the Brian Wilkerson Charity Fund Spirit Run June 23 at Lefty’s Holler. The charity will be raising funds to buy awnings for local athletics.

The council also voted to approve two expenditures from the tourism funds: $650 for the East Central Antique Farm Equipment Show July 20-22 and $400 for the Coles County Airport Airshow Aug. 25.

“The sole purpose of that fund (tourism fund) is to promote more overnight stays in Charleston,” Inyart said.

The tourism fund is funded through taxes on hotel room stays.

Marcus Smith can be reached at 581-2812 or masmith6@eiu.edu.