In a 4-3 vote, Slatington Borough Council rejected the donation of the two and a half ton surplus forestry vehicle from Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

In a heated discussion between council members, financial practicality was cited as the reason for the decision.Council member Jon Rinker presented the board with the cost for license, insurance and inspection, saying the truck would be "an asset to our community."He added that the truck could also be used for emergency management and to haul the generator.Councilman Bryon Reed voiced concern over the increase in "overhead" in the borough's budget regarding the maintenance to the vehicle.Rinker assured council the fire department would use community-raised funds for the maintenance."What happens when the fundraising money runs dry?" President Gwyneth Neff asked.Rinker said that the truck could always be given back to DCNR."What would be the point of getting it in the first place then?" asked Neff.Rinker then reminded the council that the police department had previously spent $19,000 on a new generator and asked how many times it has been used since its purchase.Neff defended her position by highlighting the new ladder truck that has yet to be paid for in full.Rinker again said the truck is donated, so it would be free to the borough.Neff rebuffed this statement by saying "It's not free. If fundraising dries up they will look to us to foot the bill."Rinker accused Neff of not appreciating the fire department, asking, "Why are you such a hater of the fire department?"Neff responded that she does appreciate the fire department, then called for the vote and ended the debate.