By Terry Ahner
Morning Call (Pennsylvania)
Copyright 2006 The Morning Call, Inc.

Palmerton remains in search of a potential suitor for its 1976 American LaFrance fire truck.

No bids were received Monday for the fire truck, meaning the borough will most likely readvertise it, said Borough Manager Rodger Danielson.

"We have to decide whether or not to rebid it," Danielson said. "We may try different magazines to see if we can find any interest out there."

He said he wasn't shocked at the lack of bids.

"It's not surprising," Danielson said. "Fire equipment is specific enough, and with as little demand as there is for used fire equipment the more specific you get, the less demand there is."

Estimates indicate the borough could get at least $25,000 for the fire truck, Danielson said, but added the borough "has to find someone who's looking for it."

He said the borough expects to take delivery of a new 100-foot aerial truck which he said "fills the same need" as the American LaFrance.

The new fire truck will cost the borough about $780,000, and will be paid for through a tax the borough enacted in 2005, he said.

Danielson said the borough isn't certain what it will do with the money once the old fire truck is sold.

"That's hasn't been determined," he said. "They'll probably refurbish their other equipment, or it will go back into the fire fund."

Borough Council will next meet at 7 p.m. July 27.