Board Approves Purchase of Grant-Funded Light Tower

Village of Beecher Meeting | February 9, 2026

Article Summary: The Village Board approved the purchase of a new vertical mast light tower for the Emergency Management Agency (EMA). The purchase is almost entirely covered by a grant, costing the village only $325.

Light Tower Purchase Key Points:

• Equipment Replacement: The new unit replaces an older light tower that was destroyed in a fire two years ago.

• Cost Breakdown: The total cost of the equipment is $14,825. An Earthrise Energy Rise Grant will cover $14,500, leaving a balance of $325 for the village.

• Dual Functionality: The LED light tower also functions as a 6,000-watt portable generator for use at command posts.

• Vendor: The unit will be purchased from Patriot Contractors Equipment Sales & Supply.

The Beecher Village Board on Monday, February 9, 2026, authorized the purchase of a new compact vertical mast light tower for the village’s Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

Trustee Joe Tieri, chair of the Public Safety Committee, introduced the motion to purchase the equipment from Patriot Contractors Equipment Sales & Supply for $14,825.

The purchase is heavily subsidized by an Earthrise Energy Rise Grant awarded to the village in November. The grant will cover $14,500 of the cost, requiring the village to pay only the remaining $325 from the FY25/26 General Fund budget.

The new equipment replaces a previous light tower that caught fire and was destroyed during Fourth of July festivities approximately two years ago.

An EMA deputy director present at the meeting explained the versatility of the new unit. “Besides it being all LED, it also functions as a portable generator,” he told the board. “It’s about 6,000 watts, but if we need it for maybe a command post or something police are doing or public works, we’ll have it.”

He added that the unit is light enough to be towed by standard village vehicles while running, making it valuable for search and rescue operations.

The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 5-0.