Nesquehoning fire departments and council are still trying to hash out whether or not the borough will implement the Knox Box program.

On Wednesday, borough council discussed the Knox Box ordinance, a rapid entry lock box system.The borough advertised the ordinance this past month, but took no formal action on it. Council has 60 days from when it was advertised to take action.The Knox boxes would allow the three fire departments in the borough a master key, located inside a locked box in one of five fire apparatus, that would open a box a business or resident would install somewhere on the outside of the building that would have keys to the facility in the event of a fire.To activate the box in the apparatus, a firefighter would have to call the 911 communications center to activate a tone.The boxes were proposed by John McArdle, Nesquehoning Hose Company fire chief, this past August and have been debated ever since.Councilman Frank Jacobs said that the budget committee wants to go over the numbers in the fire budget before recommending anything. Last year he said the department was $10,000 over budget.Councilwoman Rosemary Porembo said some companies are willing to get involved.Discussion is planned at the committee workshop on March 8. Adoption could take place at the March 22 meeting.McArdle spoke on behalf of the three borough fire departments. "We're at the point now that we feel very strongly in doing this," McArdle said.He said that if it would help move things along, the three departments would take money from the Firemen's relief fund, which is used for things like training firefighters, to pay for the equipment and installation in the fire apparatus. The cost for the equipment and installation is approximately $3,290, and for businesses and residents who want to purchase the box, it would be $350 each."If we have to go and give up some training or something like that to cover the costs, we're looking to do that because we see a need," he said.Councilman George Sabol, who has spoken out at a few meetings about his reservations with the project, again said that his hang-up on being against the project is the cost to equip the trucks. The money is coming from the taxpayers and not all residents of the borough will benefit from the boxes, Sabol said."We have fires and we don't have fires, yet we are paying for firetrucks," McArdle said."Everyone has use of the firetrucks," Sabol said."But everyone would have use of the Knox boxes," McArdle responded."No, because not everyone can afford one, but yet their tax money is going to equip the vehicles for those who can afford it," Sabol said."I mentioned the three fire departments have offered to go and pay for that installation and equipment," McArdle again said. "It's going to take away from something we could use for training."Council decided to let the public safety committee hold a meeting with the three fire chiefs before next month's workshop and council meetings.In other matters, council voted to purchase lighted handheld stop signs for two school crossing guards. The signs will help alert drivers during dark morning hours when students are going to the elementary school. The cost for the signs is $225 apiece and council will ask Panther Valley School District to split the cost.