New equipment is coming for Palmerton’s ever-expanding fire department.

Borough council is buying 10 sets of bunker gear, and various equipment, in the amount of $99,146, through American Rescue Funds.

Councilwoman Holly Hausman-Sell abstained from voting because her husband is a firefighter.

In March, council on a 6-0 vote adopted a resolution to finance the purchase of fire company equipment.

Borough Manager Autumn Canfield said at that time that council approved the resolution, which details a transfer of $164,300 from the Sewer Capital Fund to the General Fund for the purchase of SCBA equipment (air packs).

Canfield said the loan would be paid back over seven years at a 2% interest rate, with monthly payments in the amount of $2,098.

The current air packs are no longer usable.

Former borough Manager Donna McGarry said they did not receive their grant funding, but it was in the borough’s budget since their equipment expires at the end of March.

McGarry proposed that the borough borrow money from the sewer capital fund to purchase the equipment.

Also in February, council discussed bunker gear for its firefighters.

Councilman Kris Hoffner said at that meeting that the fire department had added 21 firefighters over time and money was needed to purchase the gear.