During the Oct. 16 Northampton Borough Council meeting, council members voted unanimously to approve spending $1.44 million for a new Pierce aerial ladder firetruck.

The need for a new truck was brought before council at the September meeting but was tabled to give council more time to consider the sudden purchase. There were concerns with the issue. Originally, the borough was given a two-week window to decide on the purchase. In addition, the issue had not been brought before council or to the council’s fire committee previously.

Borough Manager LeRoy Brobst noted the acquisition of the aerial firetruck will not impact the 2020 budget, which is now being prepared. He said it also will not affect the tax rate since the truck won’t arrive until late 2020, taking approximately 13 months to build.

Until delivery, the fire department can rely on neighboring departments if it should need an aerial firetruck. Many volunteer fire companies in the area have a mutual aid agreement to assist each other when necessary.

It had been previously approved for the fire department to sell the older KME ladder truck for approximately $300,000.

Loan payments on the new aerial ladder firetruck will probably take effect when the 2021 budget is in place. Brobst wants the planning to begin now regarding the financing of the new truck in order to “stay ahead of the curve.”

“The need is what it is,” Brobst said on the expenditure for the vehicle.

Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr. responded the cost of the firetruck will not be a financial burden.

“Funding would not do detrimental damage to the borough,” he said.

“If we don’t do it now, it is kicking the can down the road,” said Judy Kutzler, councilwoman and fire committee chairwoman, noting the purchase will need to be done eventually.