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Happy birthday to Teddie Marie Clossen!

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LCCC’s BASIC Club brings Christmas cheer to veterans at St. Francis of Assisi Commons

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; As his term winds down, Mayor Tom Leighton Monday dedicated a repaired bridge and showed off a new state-of-the-art fire truck.</p><p>In the final two weeks of his 12-year tenure as mayor of the city, Leighton was in good spirits at the Sydney Street Bridge and later at Hollenback Fire Station.</p><p>Leighton joked with the media as he discussed his final days in office and his anticipation of being out of the limelight.</p><p>&#8220;After more than two years, the Sidney Street Bridge is officially open,&#8221; Leighton said while standing on the new span.</p><p>Construction of the $2.8 million bridge repair project began in May 2013, Leighton said, adding it was completed through a partnership between the federal government (80 percent), PennDOT (15 percent) and the city (5 percent).</p><p>Leighton credited PennDOT Engineer District 4-0 for overseeing the project, Leeward Construction of Honesdale, and Ceco Associates, now known as the Labella Group for Engineering Design Services.</p><p>Leighton was sure to thank those who live in the area and who have endured two and a half years of construction and inconvenience.</p><p>&#8220;Most importantly, thank you to the residents in the immediate area for their patience,&#8221; Leighton said. &#8220;My administration has been dedicated to improving neighborhoods by restoring bridges, roads and sidewalks.&#8221;</p><p>Not far from Sydney Street, Leighton stopped at Hollenback Fire Station on North Washington Street to show off the city&#8217;s newest fire truck, purchased for $449,998 through the PA COSTARS program.</p><p>The Wilkes-Barre City Fire Department recently purchased the new custom built fire rescue engine that replaces a much older vehicle. The heavy duty 2015 Commander FX Rescue engine was purchased one year ago with assistance from the city&#8217;s Office of Community Development.</p><p>&#8220;The vehicle took nearly one year to construct from the signing of the contract that was approved by Wilkes-Barre City Council,&#8221; Leighton said. &#8220;With nearly 84 percent of the fire department&#8217;s call volume relating to emergency medical service (EMS), a committee comprised of city firefighters and fire administration collaborated on the design specifications consisting of both interior and exterior EMS compartments.&#8221;</p><p>Leighton and Fire Chief Jay Delaney pointed out additional upgraded features, including specialized compartments for hydraulic rescue tools such as the &#8220;Jaws of Life,&#8221; LED warning lights, 1,500 gallon per-minute single stage pump and a portable deck gun, among others.</p><p>Leighton said the new engine will be stationed at fire headquarters on Ross Street and will be used for emergencies.</p><p>&#8220;This fire rescue engine has the latest state-of-the art technology for an &#8216;all hazards&#8217; response fire department,&#8221; Delaney said.</p><p>Leighton said the well-being and safety of city residents and visitors &#8220;are always first in mind&#8221; when making critical investments in new equipment and technology.</p><p>Delaney said the city&#8217;s existing hook and ladder truck was purchased in 2003 and will likely need to be replaced before long. He said the truck was purchased for $550,000, but will cost nearly $1 million to replace.</p><p>&#8220;All of this equipment is expensive,&#8221; Delaney said, noting a new ambulance costs $250,000.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Mayor Tom Leighton opens the Sydney Street Bridge in Wilkes-Barre to traffic Monday morning. The bridge had been closed since 2013. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/web1_TTL1222Leightondays.jpg</photo0><caption0>Mayor Tom Leighton opens the Sydney Street Bridge in Wilkes-Barre to traffic Monday morning. The bridge had been closed since 2013. </caption0><photoCredit0>Clark Van Orden | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Wilkes-Barre Mayor Tom Leighton dedicates bridge, shows off new fire truck