Lehighton is looking to buy a brand-new street sweeper for its Public Works Department.

Borough council unanimously agreed to move forward with getting a price quote for a new street sweeper.

Before the vote, Councilman David Zimmerman said that a new Tymco model would cost the borough about $360,000.

“It would be really nice to have a new street sweeper,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman added that the borough has an “excellent” mechanic on staff now.

Kris Kunkle, supervisor of public works, said there’s a real need for the equipment.

In the spring, council on a 6-1 vote approved a resolution for an equipment rental agreement with the borough of Palmerton.

Before that vote, borough Manager Dane DeWire said that Palmerton was willing to allow Lehighton to rent their street sweeper and one of their employees.

DeWire said the cost was $160 an hour for Palmerton to send an employee and the machine, though it could be more if sweeping services went over eight hours in one day.

He said a new sweeper would cost about $35,000 to repair the one it currently has.