Although the North Catasauqua Borough Council voted to approve the purchase of a new fire truck last month, it was not the last time the $610,000 expenditure would be debated by council members.

A challenge was made at last Tuesday's council meeting to the purchase following Councilman Shawn McGinley's announcement that the fire truck contract had been signed. McGinley is also president of the borough fire department's Charotin Hose Company.

The challenge was led by Councilman John Yanek, not present at the August meeting for the 4-2 approval vote, who read from a statement.

Yanek challenged the way in which the purchase had been approved, by a vote on a motion instead of by a resolution, which would have required more time to pass before approval could be obtained. He expressed concern that the borough is paying off two other loans at this time and a third one would place a heavy burden on the borough.

"A purchase of this magnitude should have gone through the [finance and grants] committee," he added, and objected to the fact that a vote on the purchase had been made during a meeting when the item was not on the agenda.

He also questioned whether the borough fire department needs a truck with an aerial apparatus, as there have been no fires where one would have been required recently.

McGinley defended the purchase by saying that small fires could become big ones in only minutes.

Councilman William McGinley, also a volunteer firefighter, also challenged Yanek's statement.

"In your reasoning, we should dissolve everything," he said.

Shawn McGinley explained that payment on the fire truck loan, obtained through the truck dealer, will not begin until the other loans are paid off. He said despite the rising cost of firefighting vehicles over the years, the borough has maintained a 20-year replacement plan without raising taxes.

Borough Mayor William Molchany Jr. also read a statement in opposition to the purchase.

He said he is not against the fire department of the volunteers who protect the community, but called the purchase "a fiscally irresponsible decision," perhaps putting the borough's long-term goals in jeopardy.

"Is it a want or a need?" he asked. "How can this be justified in these tough economic times?"

When voices were raised and the discussion became nonconstructive, Council President Joe Keglovits brought the gavel down and called a five-minute recess.

During the break, Shawn McGinley and Yanek were seen talking quietly, and when the meeting reconvened, McGinley spoke.

He explained that a pumper truck alone, without the ladder, would cost in the neighborhood of $550-600,000.

"We're paying only an extra $20,000 for the addition of a ladder," he said. "I hope we never have to use that ladder because it means there is a serious fire and somebody is in trouble. Is $20,000 really worth all this arguing?"

Council members seemed to be more understanding of the cost after McGinley listed the rising cost of fire trucks over the years and estimated what the increase in cost would be to delay the truck replacement, as that replacement cost would go up each year.

That justification – the cost of a pumper without the ladder and the specific numbers on the rising cost of truck replacement – had not been as clearly stated at a council meeting before, Molchany commented.

"We brought this [purchase] up in May," McGinley said, adding that he called for the vote in August not to play politics, but to save money by taking advantage of a low interest rate and a reasonable offer by the dealer.

Keglovits supported the decision, reminding the council that the two loans currently being paid off will be retired in February and September 2013, and the first truck payment will not be due until June 2014.

"You've got to do things when the timing is right," he said.

Councilwoman Cherie Gebhardt suggested that a more organized presentation to the council might have helped them to understand the financial ramifications better.

"It would be nice if we all had something written out to look at," she said.

"I'm sorry if anyone feels this was rushed," McGinley said. "This truck will be an asset to the fire department."

The meeting continued with a discussion of how the budget is reviewed, evaluated and adjusted, and how council members are informed about the specifics of unbudgeted purchases.

"You say we've got the money," Yanek said to Keglovits. "We should know where the money comes from."

While Treasurer Annette Englert expressed concern about where additional funds would come from for some future plans, Shawn McGinley expressed support for Keglovits' past recommendations on purchases.

"We have to rely on his judgment, or vote 'no,' or research the budget ourselves," he said. "So far, we have never had a shortfall or raised taxes."