Municipal officials in Allentown and Upper Freehold Township will provide funding for the acquisition of a new fire truck for the Hope Fire Company.
The new truck will replace Engine 82-82, which is no longer serviceable, according to Allentown officials.
The Hope Fire Company is based in Upper Freehold Township and serves Allentown and Upper Freehold Township.
During a meeting on April 30, members of the Allentown Borough Council voted 5-0 to adopt a bond ordinance providing for the acquisition of a fire truck and equipment for the fire company, appropriating $200,000 and authorizing the issuance of $190,000 in bonds and notes to finance a portion of the costs.
Allentown will make a $10,000 down payment as part of its share of the purchase. Those funds are available in the borough’s capital improvement fund, according to the ordinance.
The ordinance states that the improvements authorized by Allentown consist of the acquisition of a fire truck as part of a shared purchase with Upper Freehold and the acquisition of various equipment for the Hope Fire Company.
During a meeting on May 2, members of the Township Committee in Upper Freehold authorized the appropriation and expenditure of $610,000 from the township’s Reserve Fund for Emergency Equipment and Appurtenances to purchase a fire truck and related accessory items for the Hope Fire Company.
According to municipal officials, Upper Freehold and Allentown entered into a shared services agreement that began on July 1, 2014 and will end on June 30, 2024 to provide adequate fire protection services for the residents of both communities.
In accordance with that agreement, the not to exceed $610,000 costs and expenses for the acquisition of a fire truck and accessory items for the Hope Fire Company will be assessed and paid at a ratio of 72.5% by Upper Freehold and 27.5% by Allentown.