Nesquehoning Hose Company No. 1 received authorization to moveforward with the purchase of a new firefighting vehicle.

On Thursday, Nesquehoning Borough Council approved a request from John McArdle, Nesquehoning fire chief, authorizing the fire company to pursue the purchase with the borough's financial assistance.Before the vote, McArdle explained the truck committee for the purchase met on July 16 to open bids for the new Urban Interface Vehicle.The winning bidder was Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. of Nesquehoning, which submitted a bid of $457,133 for the 2015 freightliner.In June the fire company received word that it was awarded $237,500 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the purchase of the vehicle.The difference, McArdle said, is $219,633, adding that the fire company and borough would have to look at financing options available at a later time.The new vehicle will replace two unsafe brush trucks a 1968 Kaiser Jeep brush truck and a 1975 AMC brush tanker that were not originally designed for fire service. Those vehicles will be returned to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.In other matters, Jake Arner of Nesquehoning addressed the board about a letter he sent regarding Act 54 of 2013, which automatically extends building permits.He believes that a building permit he obtained for a garage demolition and construction should be extended per the new state law.Borough solicitor Robert Yurchak said after review, his interpretation is that because ground was not broken on the project within the two-year period, the act does not apply and a new permit is needed.Arner told council that if they deny the extension, he will take the matter to the state Attorney General's office.Council tabled the matter at this time so it could further review the information.