Swatara Township supervisors purchase replacement tractor and mower

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The Swatara Township Board of Supervisors purchased a tractor and mower for about $151,000 at the June 12 meeting.

This newest model will replace the township’s current equipment.

“This will be replacing a tractor that is 21 years old that is nickel and diming us to death,” supervisor Rick Kreitzer said.

This Tiger Mower and Massey Ferguson tractor is about $120,000 cheaper than the machinery they voted to buy at the end of 2024. That purchase included a tractor, mower, and boom mower attachment.

At previous meetings, supervisors shared that they found out the tractor and mower they voted to buy would not work together, so they had to look for a different option.

Supervisor Dean Patches said they decided not to pursue the boom mower this time around, so they were also able to buy a smaller model of tractor.

“We scrapped that idea and that cost — we’re going to continue to rent when we need it,” he said. “To get the boom mower, we needed a bigger tractor. It jacks the price up.”

The new piece will still be larger than what they currently have, he said.

Supervisors said they will plan to put the township’s current tractor and mower on Municibid to get some money for it when the new equipment comes in.

Kreitzer said there isn’t a delivery date yet, but they’re expecting it to take at least several months. Officials said it might go into 2026 before they get the delivery.

In other business, supervisors: 

• Agreed to get an appraisal on the piece of property between 48 Supervisors Drive and the cemetery next door. Once they receive an appraisal, they can decide if they want to pursue trying to purchase the land, which is about .25 acres.
• Voted to pay Blatt & Tillett $3,787.93 to repair the township’s 2010 freightliner truck.
• Voted to turn the emergency management coordinator position over to the Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services. Kreitzer, also a fire chief, said the federal regulations require monthly training sessions that only take place during the daytime work hours, making them difficult to attend.
• Approved four stormwater waivers for 230 Monroe Valley Drive, as recommended by the planning commission. They also approved a stormwater waiver request for 12 Timbermill Lane and a financial security release request for 1735 Quarry Road.

The Swatara Township Board of Supervisors will have its next regular meeting at 7 p.m. on July 10 at 68 Supervisors Drive.