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closeBELLEFONTE — Borough Council on Monday unanimously approved going into debt for about $500,000 to purchase a new fire truck, expected in the borough next month.
The tanker/engine will replace a 29-year-old engine and an old tanker as the borough begins replacing aging fire equipment. Logan and Undine volunteer firefighters will use the truck, furnished by 4 Guys Inc. Fire Trucks in Meyersdale.
A 52-page printout outlining the required ordinance, equipment information and financial tables was given to council the Friday before their vote.
Along with the truck, the borough will purchase multiple lengths of fire hose and other minor equipment.
When advertised locally, as required by law, borough Manager Ralph Stewart said the documents received no public feedback.
“This is fairly typical,” he said. The ordinance authorizes two loans for the truck, one for $150,000 from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the other for $365,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service.
Interest on the 15-year PEMA loan will be 2 percent, but there is not a yet a set interest rate on the 15-year USDA loan. Cox said the USDA committed to a rate not to exceed 4.375 percent.
“I expect it would be lower than that,” he told council. “Our concern was that we keep the ball rolling to meet the delivery date.”
Councilman Paul DeCusati asked why council couldn’t wait to vote until the USDA gave a final interest rate.
“It’s not like we don’t have a truck,” he said.
Assistant Borough Manager Don Holderman said going ahead with the ordinance while waiting for the USDA made sense because the federal government can reimburse the borough directly. Bellefonte already has paid about $200,000 toward the truck.
“PEMA goes directly to 4 Guys and we have to wait for reimbursement,” Holderman said.
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