There were few amicable moments at last night's West Mifflin council meeting as members responded to the accusation that they were putting the purchase of a street sweeper before the viability of the borough's emergency services provider.

Council eventually tabled a request to authorize the payment of $229,734 for a new street sweeper from A & H Equipment Co.

Meanwhile, the borough's emergency medical provider, Prism Health Service, is deep in the red and is requesting another infusion of emergency cash.

"We need to get our priorities in order," said council member Richard Olasz. "We have no business thinking about this purchase as long as our emergency services are in the shape they are in."

The borough paid Prism $20,000 to keep the company afloat throughout the end of May. In July, the council will once again take up the issue of another payment, said council President William Welsh.

"Our service offers a lot of value to the community individually and as a whole," Prism Chief Mark English told the council.

English cited insurance company reimbursements as the driving force behind the company's financial problems. In addition, the nonprofit company's annual fund-raising drive has stagnated and costs for delinquent collections have risen.