Ryan Hunsicker News Today

Citing critical staffing issues and weeks-long delays to repair city-owned vehicles, Allentown city council unanimously approved an “emergency” fleet maintenance contract Wednesday evening.

Scores of plows, firetrucks, police cars and ambulances are out of commission. Those in need of repairs take multiple weeks to be fixed. The city’s contract with Constellis, formerly called Centerra, which handles repairs and maintenance to city vehicles, is not adequately serving the city, city officials say.

Allentown Public Works Director Craig Messinger threatened to quit and abruptly left Wednesday night’s city council meeting after council rejected a new fleet maintenance contract.