South Whitehall approves fire apparatus outfitting and replacement of three aging booster pumps

The South Whitehall Township Board voted unanimously to fund equipment for the new Catronia Fire Company aerial tower and to replace three aging water booster pumps that have been experiencing operational failures.

Fire equipment: Township manager Tom Petrrui said the finance department had set aside funds and earned interest and recommended allocating $37,317.67 for compartment management and equipment mounting for the new 2025 Pierce Enforcer midmount tower apparatus. The board approved the allocation and staff noted a year-end budget amendment will formalize the change.

Booster pumps: Director of Township Operations Herb Bender described operational issues at the 41st Street well and booster station (existing pump in service ~29 years and allowing backflow and air intrusion) and said replacement is needed to avoid reliability problems. Cole Brothers Inc. would perform the work under a CoStars contract. The total project price cited was $150,700, but Public Works staff participation (Ron and Jason) reduces the township's net cost to $70,700. Optimum Controls programming to integrate a variable frequency drive (VFD) into SCADA was estimated at $5,000. Bender also presented worst-case replacement estimates for the Hamilton and Winchester booster stations ($215,000 each plus $5,000 programming each); the board approved all three motions 5–0 and staff said the 2027 budget will be adjusted to reflect these expenditures.

Why it matters: Replacing life‑expired pumps and fitting the new fire apparatus are maintenance actions intended to prevent service interruptions and improve emergency-response capability. The board acknowledged some costs were not budgeted in 2026 and will require rebudgeting and year-end amendments.

What’s next: Contracts will be executed with Cole Brothers and Optimum Controls; staff will proceed with installations and prepare necessary budget amendments.