Lehighton agrees to buy vehicle for Public Works

Lehighton will spend $75,453 to add a vehicle to its Public Works Department fleet.

However, borough council on Monday opted against buying a vehicle for its police department for the time being.

On a 6-0 vote, with one abstention, council agreed to buy a 2019 Ford F550 for its Public Works Department.

The borough will finance the vehicle from Mauch Chunk Trust as part of a three-year term at 3.90 percent.

Councilwoman Lisa Perry abstained from the vote because she is employed by Mauch Chunk Trust.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said the vehicle will be a 2020 budget item, as its first payment won’t be due until next year.

Beckett said funds will be allocated in the borough’s general and sewer funds.

Meanwhile, a request by the police department to purchase a 2019 Ford F150 in the amount of $45,687 did not garner approval.

Borough police Chief Brian Biechy said the vehicle would be financed from Mauch Chunk Trust as part of a three-year term at 3.90 percent.

Biechy noted that the department has previously purchased several vehicles from Kovatch.

But Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky said she believes such a vehicle could be purchased at a lower cost.

Council instructed Biechy to obtain more cost estimates.

Beckett said the vehicle was a budgeted item in the general fund which would cover the down payment.