“Swaption” Comes to Easton, Sort Of

The Easton Fire Department's unused diving gear will be traded with the city of Allentown for five slots at its police academy to train recruits for the Easton Police Department, city officials announced Tuesday.

“This is the only time you'll ever hear 'swaption' in Easton,” said Mayor Sal Panto said at city council's workshop meeting.

He was referring to a complicated -- and often controversial -- method of investing money used by some local governments.

This deal will save the city approximately $15,000 in tuition fees at the academy, which is more than they could have hoped to receive from the sale of the used equipment, according to city administrator Glenn Steckmann.

One of the credits will be used to cover the tuition of a police department candidate currently in the academy, and a second is reserved for the next session and another Easton recruit.

The remaining three slots will be banked for when the city needs them, Steckman said, adding that depending upon how long that takes, the city might realize an even greater savings due to future tuition increases.

The diving equipment will be used in academy training programs, he said.

At one point, the EFD had started a dive rescue team, but has not had sufficient interested personnel to maintain the program, Steckman said. The EFD continues to maintain a water rescue team, boat and related equipment.

If not for the deal, the equipment would have likely ended up at the city's surplus equipment auction, tentatively set for Sept. 24, Steckman said.

Officials indicated that unlike some past sales, most of the auction items this time will carry a reserve to prevent them from going for too little money.

Panto said he saw BMX bicycles going for as little as $10 at the last city auction.

“I would rather donate to the than let some family have one for $12,” he said.

In addition, the city is considering scrapping an old fire department ladder truck instead of sending it to auction because they might be able to get more money that way over auction.

The truck, at one point valued at nearly a million dollars, has drawn no bids in the city's past attempts to sell the vehicle. It's scrap value is probably about $5,000, officials estimated.

The auction will take place at the city's public works facility in the 500 block of Bushkill Street. Officials said they have been waiting to have the sale until after the completion of the the , so access to the site will be unimpeded and they can draw the best crowd.