Pitman council keeps full capital request list as officials debate water tower, trucks and police cars

Council members spent significant time debating how to fund capital needs, including a multi-year plan for vehicle replacement, a potential pole barn at Public Works if the Armory sale proceeds, and whether to pay for painting the borough water tower now or defer the project.

Borough CFO Bachich explained bonding trade-offs, saying the larger the bond "the better the interest rate" but noting a larger bond increases the required down payment and therefore the tax impact. Public Works Director Rodi noted markedly higher vehicle costs in recent procurements, and Police Chief Dan McAteer said the fleet had reached the point where "it is no longer cost effective to make numerous repairs instead of just purchasing new vehicles." Council agreed to include the full list of capital requests in the introduced budget so staff could calculate the 5% down-payment figure required for the document and allow amendments between introduction and adoption.

Council also discussed spacing vehicle replacements to avoid simultaneous end-of-life on multiple units, the prospect of a pole barn to house equipment now stored at the Armory, and whether a recently implemented water surcharge should fund water-tower work.