Council to borrow for equipment buys

Bond ordinance approved for $1 million.

By: Lea Kahn
   A $1 million bond ordinance, which contains money to buy an assortment of equipment for the Department of Public Works and fire and rescue equipment, gained final approval by Township Council Tuesday night.
   The bond ordinance allocates $430,000 to buy a dump truck, a plow and attachment for the snowplow, a four-wheel-drive truck and a field lawn mower. It also includes money toward the township’s share of the cost of a new tub grinder, which grinds up tree trunks and other large items.
   Another $47,000 in the bond ordinance will pay for the purchase of assorted ambulance equipment and 10 sets of turnout gear for the volunteer firefighters, among other items. A set of turnout gear includes jackets, gloves, boots and helmets.
   The bond ordinance sets aside $176,000 to purchase various computer and office equipment, and $14,000 to buy communications equipment for the Police Department, including portable radios and a voice scrambler transmitter.
   And $230,000 is earmarked for preliminary expenses for the renovation of the municipal building. Space in the building was freed up after the Police Department and the municipal court moved across the parking lot to their new building last year.
   The remaining money will be spent on more municipal building improvements, police equipment and landscaping.