Lebanon City Council recently ratified Mayor Sherry Capello's decision to use $990,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to financially support two city volunteer fire companies in the purchase of two pieces of firefighting apparatus.

In a joint plan, the Union Steam and Fire Engine and Hose Company, on South Eighth Street, and Rescue Hose Company No. 4, on Lehman Street, will be investing in a new fire engine and a new aerial ladder truck. 

Capello said the city will give $340,000 toward the purchase of the engine and $650,000, toward the cost of the ladder truck. Each amount is 50 percent of the actual cost of each piece of apparatus.  City Fire Commissioner Duane Trautman said the fire companies would not be able to afford the cost of new equipment if the mayor and city council did not appropriate ARPA funds for the acquisition. 

Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act, and President Biden signed it, in March 2021.  Funds were then distributed to states and local governments across the country.    

Trautman said the design of the engine planned for purchase for Union Fire Company will be identical to the design of the 2015 model Engine 17 owned by Perseverance Fire Company, with a 500-gallon water tank, a 1,500-gallon-per-minute single-stage water transfer pump, and a stainless-steel body.  

The aerial truck, with its primary purpose being for rescue, will have a 100-foot rear-mounted ladder.  Both pieces of apparatus have an expected life of service of 30 years. Capello said the order for the trucks will be placed now, but delivery is not expected until 2024.

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Council president Joseph Morales thanked Trautman for working on a strategic plan for the Lebanon Fire Department. "We thank him for his diligence with this matter."  

"Thank you, mayor and city council, for making this happen." said Ed Johnson Jr., president of the Union Company, who was present at the meeting. 

"Thank you for stepping up and joining others to keep the company going," replied Capello.  

Councilman Brian Martin introduced a proposed amendment to a city ordinance under the "Bureau of Fire: Career and Volunteer Division."  If passed at a future meeting, the head of the city fire department will be called "fire chief," rather than "fire commissioner."

Also at the meeting, the council approved the annual action plan for the Community Development Block Grant Program, for fiscal year 2022.  

According to Janelle Mendoff, Community and Economic Development administrator, the city expects to receive $665,566 from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She reported that the spending plan for the funds includes $140,000 for improvements to the main water pipe, $139,566 for various street improvements, $100,000 for code enforcement and $96,000 for police crime prevention. Those expenditures will be targeted to areas with lower-income residents.

In addition, $80,000 will be used for housing rehabilitation and homebuyer assistance throughout the city by the Lebanon County Redevelopment Authority.

Former councilman Wayne Carey, a familiar face at the CandyRama stand at the Lebanon Farmers Market, told council that on a recent day at the market, a man began to act in a belligerent and vulgar manner. "Two city police officers arrived and were extremely patient with the man. They listened to the man and calmed him," said Carey. "I thank you Chief Breiner and your officers for the way that situation was handled. It made me proud of the City of Lebanon badges on their shirts."

Carey also encouraged city residents to attend the National Night Out event scheduled at the Salvation Army facility on Aug. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Former councilman Cornell Wilson asked when rough surfaces of North Tenth Street will be paved. Capello told him utility work  was done on the street in preparation for PennDOT's resurfacing of the street later this year.   

Becky Dreibelbis and Ed Lynch Jr. were reappointed to serve five-year terms on the City of Lebanon Zoning Hearing Board.