A suggestion to not purchase any equipment/vehicles until the borough has a place to put it resulted in a heated debate in Bowmanstown.

On a narrow measure that needed a tiebreaker to decide its fate, borough council on Tuesday rejected the motion after Mayor Zach Snyder voted against it.

Council President William Ravert brought the matter up for vote, citing council’s decision to purchase a larger dump truck at a prior budget meeting.

“I can’t see why we want to get rid of any of our vehicles,” Ravert said. “I’m encouraging council to not purchase any vehicles.”

Ravert said he’d rather see that money spent elsewhere, and “not to purchase any vehicles for the borough until we have a place to store it.”

That clearly raised the ire of Councilman Darren Thomas, who was visibly frustrated with Ravert’s motion.

Councilwoman Pam Leiby also initially expressed frustration with Ravert’s suggestion, but later changed her stance when it came time to vote.

Afterward, council deadlocked on the vote, with Councilman Rob Moyer, Councilwoman Donna Winter and Thomas against the measure, and Councilwoman Kara Scott, Leiby, and Ravert in favor.

Due to Councilwoman Candace Rodrigues being absent from the meeting, Snyder, in his capacity as mayor, voted against the measure, which ultimately broke the tiebreaker.