In a story ManvilleToday published on June 2nd, we covered the deteriorating condition of the Borough's equipment, specifically those used by DPW (Department of Public Works). In that article, Councilman Lukac reported that a 25-year-old sewer truck broke down and that both leaf vacuum trucks were on the "brink of disrepair".

In the August 11th meeting, Councilman Lukac reported that during his monthly DPW Committee meeting, they had a detailed briefing on the state of all our remaining DPW equipment they haven't replaced yet. From that briefing he indicated "we are in a dire need of a dump truck," which he will be bringing to the Finance Committee to discuss further.

Manville continues to see equipment aging without any visible plan to replace it. It now appears that every Council Meeting includes discussions about the need for new vehicles or equipment.

At the August 11th meeting, Resolution #2025-215 was added to the agenda during the Resolutions portion of the meeting. No copies of this Resolution were available before the meeting.

This Resolution #2025-215 was announced to purchase a "2023 Exmark LZS88CDYM96R Lazer Z Diesel 96" Yanmar 3TV8 With Woods Machinery", also known as a riding lawn mower.

"We have a late addition to the resolutions this evening for an emergency purchase of a lawn mower," stated Mayor Richard Onderko.

"The Ordinance, or the Resolution, is 2025-215, it’s for our DPW to purchase a lawn mower for all the grass cutting that we've been doing in town," he continued.

A resident got up to ask what the purchase amount was as the resolution was not read into the record. Interim Borough Administrator Maureen Ruane provided the cost as $42,663.

The Mayor then added: "It is a cost savings to the Borough because the um the equipment is a demo model and we're getting a break on it the price which is, makes me happy."

It is important to note that on Monday, August 25th there was a special Borough Council Meeting to Introduce ordinance 2025-1333 to authorize the 2025 Capital Budget. That ordinance is in the amount of $1,175,000 and is broken down as follows:

• A. POLICE: Tasers & Equipment $25,000
• B. OEM: Radios & two Solar Message Boards $68,000
• C. FIRE DEPARTMENT: Equipment $20,000
• D. FIRE PREVENTION: Radios $30,000
• E. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS: Building Maintenance & Improvements $100,000
• F. DPW: Mowers $200,000
• G. DPW: Tandem Dump Truck $275,000
• H. ADMINISTRATION: Storm-Water Studies $100,000
• I. ENGINEERING: Paving and Sealing $350,000
• J. RECREATION: Main Street Decorations $7,000

The second reading and public comment for this ordinance will take place at the next Council Meeting on September 8th.