CLEARFIELD – Replacement of police vehicles topped the Clearfield Borough Council meeting Thursday.
Police Chief Vincent McGinnis and Assistant Chief Nathan Curry talked with council about the vehicles and working out a plan to start rotating the vehicles out of service.
McGinnis said there are two vehicles that are over 117,000 miles and both have needed repairs.
Last year, $11,000 was spent on repairs, some of which was for tires and brakes for multiple vehicles; however, $2,000 has already been spent on repairs this year.
Curry said the department has a vehicle, a 2012 Ford F150, that is rarely used now as it is not fully equipped as a police vehicle. It was purchased to pull the DUI Taskforce trailer and also carry equipment to the range for weapons certification.
Now the trailer is located with another department, and there is a shed at the range holding most of the equipment.
Curry suggested the truck could be sold and the money used to help make a down payment on a new police vehicle.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott added that a new vehicle is also budgeted for in 2021, and McGinnis added that if a new vehicle is ordered in March, it won’t be here until close to the end of the year.
McGinnis will get specifications and costs for a new vehicle and the matter will be revisited.
Also, during the meeting, council learned that the USDA Farmers to Families food distribution is still scheduled for Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. Those planning to come for food must enter the park at the stone gate and follow the traffic pattern.
Mayor Jim Schell spoke about the fire at Clearfield Machine Co. Tuesday night. He said he remembers what the building is like inside, that it is vast and under the circumstances of a fire, dangerous and he commended the firefighters for their hard work as well as the other fire companies that responded and volunteers who helped.
Council also learned that a power outage is scheduled for Front Street from Market Street to the point with South Second Street.
The outage will be for five hours Feb. 25 and also Feb. 26, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., both days.