Whitehall Township Commissioner Gerard Palagonia firmly believes the township should replace an Egypt Fire Department truck before next year.

Palagonia discussed the truck replacement at the Nov. 11 commissioners meeting. He said the Egypt truck should be replaced before a truck for the West Catasauqua Fire Department, scheduled for replacement in 2015.

He said research he did on the Egypt truck, a 1979 American LaFrance, shows numerous problems, ranging from gauge calibration and vacuum tests to pressure gauges.

According to Palagonia, the truck is not in adequate condition to respond to calls.

"That's not my opinion," he said, referring to the his research.

Commissioner Thomas Slonaker said the Egypt truck in question is not the station's primary truck.

Slonaker said the township follows a schedule regarding replacing fire trucks. It also takes into account recommendations from Fire Chief Bob Benner.

He also said the 1988 Hahn fire truck to be replaced at the West Catasauqua fire station was offered to Egypt. Raymond Dankel, assistant chief at the Egypt station, said at a previous week's commissioners budget workshop meeting he has no problems with the replacement schedule and can wait until 2017.

"All right, Tommy," Palagonia said to Slonaker. "This is the plan," he said, referring to the township's plan for replacing fire trucks.