The Eldred Township supervisors authorized the ordering of a new pickup during their meeting on Wednesday night.

The Ford F350 truck will replace two of the township’s trucks, said Scott Clark, the chairman of the supervisors. It is going to be purchased from Miracle Ford, a Costars vendor in Tamaqua, for $54,078.75.

West End Equipment in Brodheadsville will outfit the truck with a snow plow, salt box, lights and a lift gate for $25,735, also through Costars. A radio for the truck will be come from TuWay Communications through Costars for $4,360.13, and lettering will cost about $500, Clark said. The total cost is $84,673.88.

“We did budget $90,000 on that, so we’re under budget,” Clark said. “Good job, Jonathan keeping it under.”

Jonathan Gula, the Public Works Department supervisor, reported that the township’s salt supply is in good supply.

“We are good. Our bins are full. Our mixed bins, our salt bins are full. We have about 150 tons of antiskid on a pile, and I have 90 more ton under our contract that we can take,” Gula said.

During the last two snow storms, they put down the minimum, because of the long delays in getting salt and anticipating for the possibility of more storms this week, Gula said. They have been busy this winter removing snow and maintaining the vehicles. He thanked the guys in his department.

“They’ve been not sleeping; living here pretty much every holiday and weekend. They’ve been doing a good job,” Gula said. “I’d also like to thank Ray (Miller) for retiring and then two days later working 22-hours straight. Ray’s always a good guy to give a call to. He’s always willing to come in, so I appreciate him for sticking it out.”

Miller retired in January from his full-time position in township’s Public Works Department, but will be sticking around to do a little part-time work.

The supervisors approved a part-time position of eight hours per week or 416 hours annually with a pay rate of $23.30 per hour. Clark said the township budgeted about $10,000 for this position.

In other business, Gula said they are working toward getting an air handler in the work area of the post office fixed. The older duct work from when then building was built contains fiberglass, which has deteriorated and has blocked the coil.

“We’ve put compressed air through it to try to get the fiberglass out of the coils. It didn’t work today,” Gula said. He plans to call a heating and ventilation system company to give a price to replace the coil and ductwork from the air handler into the heat exchange, which is a short portion. The supervisors will have to authorize the work.

The following items were also mentioned at the meeting:

• Approved the purchase of forks and connectors for the backhoe at $5,279.98.

• Approved the purchase of a lateral file cabinet for the municipal office for up to $175.

• The thrift store at the Eldred Township Community Center is planning a prom dress sale on March 29.

• The Kunkletown Volunteer Fire Department will use the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant of $12,200 to buy three new sets of turnout gear.

• The fire department is also planning a breakfast buffet on March 2 and one on Nov. 2, a ham drawing on April 10, a 250 Club Dinner on April 25 and in October with dinner and entertainment, Firemen’s Festival on May 29, West End Fair on Aug. 17, and turkey drawing on Nov. 13.