Lansford Borough Council voted to spend nearly $126,000 for a new snow plow truck to replace the borough's inoperable one.

Council was given until today by the dealer, Five Star International Inc. of Harrisburg, to make a decision concerning the purchase of the new truck. The truck, a 9-ton 2014 International 7400 SFA with Galion-Godwin 400U truck body, will cost the borough $125,945. President Rose Mary Cannon said $11,000 of that is budgeted and $64,863.92 is expected to be paid via liquid fuels. Looking at multiple financing agreements, council eventually approved to finance the remaining balance ($50,018.08) through a single 4-year lease loan through Real Lease and M and T Bank at 4.39 percent.The decsion was made at a special meeting Thursday night, attended by councilmen Andy Snyder, Lenny Kovach, councilwoman Samantha Yasson and secretary/treasurer Mary Alberti.Council members wanted to buy a new truck from KME Kovatch in Nesquehoning, but Kovach said that the borough needed another truck sooner that what KME Kovatch could provide.Kovach added if the borough decided to purchase it from KME Kovatch, they might not receive it until next year; adding that he was told it would take about 16 weeks for it to come in. Kovach, who said the borough agreed to purchase a new truck versus a used one, said he spent numerous months searching for a new truck. "I finally found one that would work well for the borough," said Kovach, adding that the new truck's 10-foot by 42-inch plow would work much better in traversing Lansford's streets. The truck includes a rear spreader. Kovach added that the money received after selling their old plow truck would also go toward paying off the new truck.Police neededCouncil also discussed a combined written request from Police Chief John Turcmanovich and Mayor Ron Hood to replace one full-time officer and add two additional part-time officers.The letter said one one full-time officer resigned, another full-time officer is under suspension and one officer out on medical leave. Positions for part-time officers can be filled from applications already on file. The letter adds that officers still have vacation time to be taken; to include several upcoming holidays. It also adds that the request for additional officers would reduce the number of overtime hours that would be used to keep staffing levels at a minimum."For now, we should probably advertise for more part timers," said Kovach, who said they need more time to know what is going on within the police department. Yasson stated her disappointment regarding the lack of communication between the police department, mayor and council. "We should have been informed about these concerns much sooner," Yasson said.Council voted to advertise to reactivate the borough's Civil Service Board. During the meeting, Yasson submitted her application to fill the vacant seat on the board, which was advertised previously. The council approved her application. Council agreed to look into the status of the police chief, as well other matters, before any actions are to be taken. Even though no final decisions were made, council agreed to work quickly concerning the request.Ambulance questionsCouncil also brought up items relating to the Lansford Ambulance Association, which is currently out of service following a complaint and inspection by representatives from Eastern PA EMS Council, an organization contracted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The group inspected the ambulance corps on June 24 and found it was lacking necessary supplies, used out of date equipment and had uncertified members working for the association. Under a new agreement with the borough, Lehighton Ambulance is providing primary advanced life support service to the borough and also remains as the secondary care provider."I am not happy that we don't have an ambulance in Lansford," said Kovach, who recalled recent incidents in which ambulances had to come as far away as Penn Forest, due to the unavailability of other local ambulance crews. "I feel that the current medics cannot handle the current call volume."Other items approved during the meeting included advertising for oil (16,000 gallons), finalizing payment for the newly installed police department windows and door, and transferring title of land (located next to the Lansford Fire Company) from the borough over to the fire company.Also during the meeting, local resident and Lansford Alive member Martin Ditsky asked for the borough's help via shared services to borrow a bucket truck to put lights up at Kennedy Park. Council said they would help as best they can.