Council approves $71,031 municipal lease for pickup to update public-works fleet

Crafton Borough Council on Aug. 14 approved resolution 2025-17 authorizing a municipal lease agreement with Huntington Bank for $71,031 to acquire a Ford F-350 pickup truck and associated modifications for public-works operations.

Manager told council the purchase, including upfit costs such as a salt spreader and fabrication, was budgeted at $64,500 but exceeded that figure; the lease will allow the borough to spread payments and maintain fleet-rotation timing. Staff said the borough will sell an older vehicle (a 2011 pickup) when the new vehicle is available; proceeds from that sale are expected to offset some of the additional cost.

Council members asked about electric-vehicle options; staff said municipal EV pickups have not yet proven effective for the borough’s heavy-use pickup and plow tasks and that EV recommendations were more appropriate for code vehicles and some police cruisers. Staff said municipal leases are used to finance the vehicle and that ownership is effectively transferred at lease end.

Council approved the lease by voice vote. Staff said the truck will be sent for upfit work after delivery and the older truck will be put up for sale once the new vehicle is ready.