LAPEL — Lapel Town Council members approved the purchase of a new truck and conducted a public hearing on additional budget appropriations during a recent special meeting.

A new dump truck will be purchased from Stoops Freightliner in Anderson, using the Indiana Bond Bank and the town’s master lease agreement with Crossroads Bank, for $150,875, with an annual interest rate of 2.18%.

Town council president Chad Blake said the town’s current dump truck, a 2003 model, is in disrepair.

Blake said the old truck was used solely as a plow and salt truck. The new truck will be able to handle picking up stone, dirt and salt and other needs throughout the year. Previously, he said, the town had to pay a fee to have those items delivered.

The council president said the new truck includes a snow plow, stainless-steel dump bed and stainless-steel salt spreader.

The Dec. 3 meeting included a public hearing for additional appropriations to this year’s budget for $22,700. An amount of $19,700 was requested and approved for the Local Income Tax public safety fund and an additional $3,000 was approved for the park fund.

Paula Lee, deputy clerk, said the money for the park fund was for rental fees that are being collected and that were not planned into the budget. She said the money for the public safety fund was in the budget, but not appropriated.

The council also discussed the 2021 salary ordinance which is on the agenda to be finalized and voted on at the regular monthly meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. today, Thursday, Dec. 17).

The meeting, the last of 2020, will take place virtually. A link to the meeting is available on the Town of Lapel Facebook page.