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Grant to alleviate traffic congestion moves $100M project forward

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Firefighters union: George using watches as punishment for criticism

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The city plans to spend up to half million dollars on police and fire department equipment and vehicle replacements.</p><p>The spending requests were presented Tuesday night at city council&#8217;s work session and will be voted on at Thursday&#8217;s public meeting.</p><p>The largest expense will be $251,112 for the fire department, including $169,731 for a new ambulance from Keystone Emergency Vehicles in Dover. The ambulance purchase includes the transfer of a used ambulance from the city.</p><p>Wilkes-Barre Fire Department Chief Jay Delaney said other than the ambulance, the purchases are routine. All of the costs will be paid through the city&#8217;s Community Development budget.</p><p>&#8220;Community Development Block Grant funding is really one of the only capital sources the fire department has to obtain new equipment,&#8221; Delaney said. He estimated it cost approximately $5,000 to outfit each firefighter. To cover all of them, the department staggers the annual purchases.</p><p>The requests for this year include:</p><p>&#8226; $4,210 for FAST boards from FAST Rescue Solutions, Flourtown.</p><p>&#8226; $25,000 for turnout gear from Susquehanna Fire Equipment Co., Dewart.</p><p>&#8226; $6,752 for firefighter gear racks from DS Machine LLC, Gordonville.</p><p>&#8226; $5,920 for a fire hose from Susquehanna Fire Equipment Co.</p><p>&#8226; $4,288 for miscellaneous equipment from Friedman Electric, Wilkes-Barre.</p><p>&#8226; $9,266 for miscellaneous equipment from Witmer Public Safety Group, Coatesville.</p><p>&#8226; $25,945 for 19 self contained breathing apparatus cylinders, 18 rechargeable battery packs and one self contained breathing apparatus from Susquehanna Fire Equipment Co.</p><p>The police department, meanwhile, requested five new 2019 Ford Police sport utility vehicles from New Holland Auto/Kovatch Ford. Financing packages offered through Community Leasing Partners, a division of Community First National Bank in Manhattan, Kan., vary and depend upon whether the city makes a down payment and chooses between a four- or five-year term. The vehicles have a total cost of $201,973.</p><p>Council also will be asked to vote on three appointments to the Parking Ticket Appeals Board for two-year terms:</p><p>&#8226; Linda Joseph, of Blackman Street.</p><p>&#8226; Sam Troy, of Joseph Lane.</p><p>&#8226; Former police chief Marcella Lendacky, of Custer Street.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Delaney </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_SRM_4231.jpg</photo0><caption0>Delaney </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

WB council to decide on purchases for fire department, including ambulance