Lansford Borough Council last week agreed to apply for state and federal grants for the purchase a $550,000 sewer vacuum truck.

The borough hopes to secure either a state gaming grant or a federal appropriations grant to purchase a sewer vacuum, replacing the truck that was destroyed earlier this year.

The borough lost both its street sweeper and its sewer vacuum truck in a fire in the borough garage, which also sustained damage. Borough workers saved other vehicles that were inside.

The borough will be compensated $144,000 for the street sweeper, and $22,000 for the sewer vacuum, and the fire company will also be reimbursed for losses.

Councilman Joseph Butrie said that he’s still waiting for word from the insurance company on payment for other equipment and tools lost in the fire, which was ruled accidental.

Butrie was opposed to applying for the grants for a new sewer vacuum due to the time involved, when the borough needs a sewer vacuum now. He pointed out the borough has more than 1,000 inlets to check and clean.

Council members pointed out that they have an option on the agenda to rent a sewer vacuum by the day, week and month, and a resident asked if the borough took Tamaqua up on its offer to use its sewer vacuum.

Butrie said that he did not seek neighboring Tamaqua’s assistance yet.

Council ended up tabling the option to rent a sewer vacuum after the rental costs didn’t add up. The costs listed were $74 a day, $2,195 a week and $6,500 a month, and council members questioned the math, as $74 a day for five days is only $370.

Council also tabled action on Butrie’s request to buy a sewer vacuum using the insurance money for the fire-damaged street sweeper and sewer vacuum and the funds from the sewer transmission fund and state Liquid Fuels.

Council President Bruce Markovich pointed out that the borough is already planning to tap Liquid Fuels funding for vehicle purchases.