The Aug. 7 Catasauqua Borough Council committee meeting focused on the first-ever five-year capital expenditures plan for the borough.

Dean Browning, project manager, started the discussion by pointing out the plan’s objective - to provide a comprehensive plan for expenditures of the borough that addresses projected needs for long-life items with a value in excess of $1,000. Areas of review included equipment and vehicles (licensed); equipment and machinery (other); information technology; and facilities-additions/repairs/upgrades.

Browning, according to borough Manager Glenn Eckhart, is a part-time project manager for the borough.

The first part of the plan covers fixed assets and a capital plan overview.

Eckhart said the borough has $30 million in assets. He said the borough is paying too much for insurance, an issue that must be rectified.

Rich Hertzog, fire chief, addressed funding for the fire department. He said $2 million is slated for a pumper truck in the year 2026. The ordering of the truck would be in 2024, and the actual payment would be in 2027.

The current pumper truck has been operational in the borough for 33 years. This vehicle should have a 20-year maximum life span, he said.

Hertzog added the department has a 1999 truck that was worth $310,000 at purchase and is now valued at $1.3 million. If an insurance claim was necessary, the borough would receive only a fraction of its worth.

Hertzog said the department will also be acquiring a bucket truck at a cost of $190,000.

A 4600 series street sweeper, at a cost of $230,000, is also on the purchase list for 2024.

The bucket truck and sweeper currently in use have recently been sold.

The largest ticket items under the category of equipment and machinery are for the police department - body-worn cameras at $100,000 and Tasers at $33,000.

The fire department needs portable radios, at a cost of approximately $200,000. This cost will be divided into five payments of $50,400 during the next five years.

In the area of information technology, the main costs will be for the water plant. Waiting for board approval are $40,000 for an alarm and camera system, $2,600 for a Lenovo tower and $2,350 for a Cisco router.

Under the area of facility items, the main needs for 2024 are the parks patch repair at $45,000, bath house repairs at $40,000, lot equipment at $40,000 and a restroom remodel at $35,000.

In the area of public works facility items, a garage replacement is needed in 2024, at a cost of $75,000.

Eckhart said a storage location for salt will require funding of $150,000 by 2026.

Continuing with facility items such as sewer and water, the water meter replacement with ultrasonic meters is a concern for the borough, with a five-year plan of a payment of $330,000 per year.

In the general fund, the total cost is $1,278,453, with grant funding of $553,000, calculating a net total of $725,453.

The sewer fund total required is $141,250, There is no grant funding available in this area.

Concerning the water fund, the total needed for 2024 is $445,450. There is grant funding available of $330,000, leaving a $115,450 net total.

In this five-year capital plan, spanning 2024-29, the total needed for 2024 is $1,865,153, with grant funding of $883,000 - leaving a net total of $982,153.

Each council member was asked to carefully review and send any questions or concerns to Eckhart and Browning. Final approval is expected at the Aug. 21 council meeting.

A 2024 budget review is expected in September, with approval possible in October.

In other business, Eckhart said a new police officer was hired, set to begin Aug. 21. The borough is also hiring an assistant chief of police, who will monitor the school resource officer program.