News

September 18, 2008

Nanticoke tweaking capital budget to buy equipment

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

NANTICOKE - Council members considered tweaking the city’s capital budget during Wednesday’s meeting to purchase emergency response and road clearing equipment.

Councilman Brent Makarczyk expressed interested in the city purchasing at least one pumper fire truck in 2010 or 2011 and possibly a ladder truck sometime between 2014 and 2017.

A new pumper truck could cost $315,000 if purchased now, Makarczyk said.

However, there are other alternatives that could benefit the city.

A mini-pumper truck would cost between $180,000-185,000 and Makarczyk mentioned that Olyphant has a 2004 pumper truck it might be willing to sell.

If the city waits two to three years, the cost for a new pumper truck could increase to $195,000-210,000, Makarczyk said. A new ladder truck could easily cost a $1 million or more.

‘The prices we are quoting here at no frills, basic truck. Nothing overly fancy,’ Fire Chief Mike Bohan said.

The city only has $40,000 allotted for such an expense, he said. The city has applied for grants to purchase new fire equipment, but was turned down, Markarczyk said.

The city is now fully protected since Milton Borough loaned its pumper truck last month to the city until a new or used unit can be purchased. Under the free loan agreement, Milton can request its truck back at any time.

The Hanover Hose Company’s fire truck was stored at the main fire headquarters since June when the city’s 1977 fire truck engine broke.

“We have gotten a bandage for it. But I think we need a better solution,” Makarczyk said.

Councilman Joe Dougherty said the street department needed a dump truck with a plow and spreader for the front to clear the streets in the winter.

The other truck is rather “beat-up” he said and barely able to plow a driveway. Dougherty said he would investigate the cost for the equipment.

But with the city’s stressed financial situation as an Act 47 community officials know purchasing such vehicles will take a plan.

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