Lansford Borough Council dialed back on discussions on spending for a new public works truck, garage and even killed discussions on a borough manager during a work session this week.

Council is looking to overcome a $400,000 deficit in the proposed 2027 budget, while balancing its obligations to provide services and invest in its own infrastructure.

Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevechio pushed the pause button on a new truck, which was discussed at council’s last budget meeting.

Councilman Joseph Butrie provided council with prices for a new Ford F-350 truck with a utility bed at a cost of $81,000 to replace two aging public works vehicles.

“Our ’01 has seen better days,” he said. “Our ’08 definitely seen better days. We could take the money from our (state) Liquid Fuels for the next three years to purchase this truck.”

Plus, the borough could sell its two public works vehicles outright for about $20,000, he said.

Councilman Bruce Markovich then pointed out that the truck with all the accessories is actually priced at $128,000, and Collevechio questioned using Liquid Fuels funds for a truck, when roads need to be repaired.

Council then bounced around numbers on whether the truck was all in at $81,631.20, or started there and went up with accessories. Council members seemed to agree that it was complete.

But there were questions about other dealers and the gross vehicle weight of the truck from residents.

“Come on, we can’t make a decision right now on this,” Collevechio said.

Council President Joseph Genits asked if they wanted it on the agenda for next week, and Butrie said yes, while Collevechio said no.

“I don’t see how we could be doing that when we’re trying to get a budget done,” she said.

Councilwoman Michele Bartek agreed, saying maybe they could wait to see how the budget is rounding out, and if they can buy a truck.

Butrie warned if one of the current trucks breaks down, and then they have no truck and have to hire a contractor.

Resident Erin Soberick asked if they were considering combining streets crews with another neighboring town, which had been mentioned previously. Butrie said they didn’t get any answer back.

Butrie again said they could use Liquid Fuels funds, and not touch the state funds for roads.

Collevechio wanted to see the truck proposal on paper to better understand it and make a decision.

“I’m totally confused and I’m really not ready to make a commitment to a new truck when we had headlines in the Times News that we’re $400,000 in red. I don’t think this is the time for this conversation,” she said.

Council also went round and round on a building a borough garage, another item that Butrie wanted to see movement on.

“We keep getting false hopes of ‘apply for grants for a garage,’ ” he said. “It’s time to bite the bullet.”

Markovich asked resident Tommy Vadyak, who sits on the water authority, if they were applying for grants, and he replied yes. Markovich said that kills the borough’s chances, as the authority will get the money first.

Butrie suggested applying for a loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 2.9% over 40 years; Collevechio said they should hold off talking about it until next year.

“Right now, we’re up against it,” she said. “So, let’s just put it on the back burner and bring it up in January when we have our budget done.”

Butrie said he’d like to advertise for some ballpark figures on putting up a new pole building as a borough garage. Markovich said the last estimate was $1.5 million.

They discussed having existing plans, possibly have some work done by contractors and the borough doing the finishing work, and getting cost estimates from the engineer. Councilman John Zym revisited fixing the old building, where the fire was.

Soberick asked if there was garage space they could share, and Butrie said all the garages are full. One garage, a PPL building, came on the market and they discussed that as an option with neighboring Coaldale, but current availability was a question as it may have been purchased.

The bottom line on the truck and garage came down to council working on a budget, not new spending.

“We have to make some serious decisions on this budget next week,” Collevechio said. Council has a budget meeting on Tuesday, and tentative adoption is scheduled for later this month.

Genits reminded council that Kafferlin Strategies, the consultant working on recommendations for a five-year strategic plan, told them to hire a borough manager.

“I know,” Collevechio said. “I was at the meeting.”

Genits pointed out that the borough has $500,000 in railroad money sitting in a certificate of deposit that they could use to hire a borough manager.

“Go hire a borough manager. Period. Interview some,” he said.

Bartek immediately halted that discussion, saying that was money that backed them up.

“We can’t use that,” she said.

Genits said that money was a windfall for the borough, and Collevechio said they should talk about that during budget discussions, not a workshop meeting.

Vadyak questioned whether the borough had Errors and Omissions insurance, and that they’d need those railroad funds if there is another lawsuit.

Genits welcomed the public to come in and review the insurance policies.

No further discussion on a garage, truck or borough manager occurred, and council moved on fixing the winter parking signs.