Walnutport Borough Council on a unanimous vote recently approved resolutions to apply for both a State Local Share Account grant and Monroe County Local Share Account grant for a new firetruck.

Keith Kibler, a board member with the Diamond Fire Company of Walnutport, told council the department wants to replace a 2003 American LaFrance truck with a new KME ladder truck that is two years out from the time of order.

He said the cost of the KME ladder truck is expected to be about $1.6 million. No local taxpayer money was used toward the truck.

Diamond Fire Company of Walnutport Fire Chief Mike Wentz explained the need for the new apparatus.

“Because of the age of the truck, the parts are not available for repair and we’re starting to have mechanical issues with it,” Wentz said. “We have no other choice in the matter.”