Your government at work

I'm sure glad I'm not a taxpayer in Pottstown, Pa.

Because apparently spending $600,000 isn't worth remembering.

The borough council authorized the purchase of a $600,000 fire truck in May, but this week several council members seemed to have forgotten about it.

"I was not aware we had authorized the purchase of the vehicle," Borough Council President Jack Wolf said after Fire Chief Richard Lengel told council members on Wednesday that the truck had been ordered.

"I would think it would be taken to the finance committee at least," Councilman Greg Berry said. "It seems like a lot of money to spend without a report."

After consulting minutes of previous meetings, council members realized that they had approved the purchase months earlier.

"Well, that's what the minutes say, so that's what we have to go with," Wolf said before apologizing for his faulty memory.