Brookhaven council approves police chief contract, automated bus-camera enforcement and street resurfacing bids

Brookhaven Borough Council approved several budgetary and public-safety actions at its April 7 meeting, including a five-year employment contract for Police Chief Timothy Havoc, an intergovernmental agreement to allow automated school-bus stop enforcement cameras, and awards for street resurfacing and a state grant application.

Chief Tim Havoc contract and vote

Council approved a five-year employment agreement with Police Chief Timothy Havoc by roll-call vote, 6-1. The council recorded Heller, Mrs. Heller, Mr. De Plicke, Ms. Sawicki, Mr. Pappas and Mr. Burke voting aye; Ms. Flovia voted no. The contract was introduced under Councilman George Pappas's report and adopted during the meeting.

Automated school-bus stop enforcement

Council authorized a cooperative agreement with the Pendelco School District and its vendor Bus Patrol to allow automated enforcement of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code provision that requires drivers to stop for school buses when red lights are flashing and the stop arm is deployed. The agreement authorizes the bus vendor to install camera equipment on district-owned buses; the vendor will capture license-plate evidence and issue civil fines (the vendor's civil fine was described in the presentation as $300). Councilman Pappas moved the measure; it passed by voice vote.

Street resurfacing award and budget context

Bids for the 2025 street resurfacing project were opened and the low bidder, Innovative Construction Services, was awarded the contract for the base bid of $304,177. Council also approved adding an alternate (Susan Lane) at an additional roughly $72,000; council members said the borough's total resurfacing budget was $343,000, funded by a mix of liquid fuels, general fund and county aid. Council voted to accept the low bid and proceed.

DCED grant application and park project

Council passed a resolution authorizing submission of a Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer (DCED) grant application for Charles Avenue Phase 2 in the amount of $425,000. Council also approved contractor change orders for the Samson Park rehabilitation project, subject to final determination by the recreation committee.

Other motions and fiscal items

Council approved a motion to pay bills for April totaling $359,732.74 (general fund $287,086.21, sewer $71,137.36, road $1,489.25, trash $19.92). It also approved trimming/removing three dead borough trees at identified properties (total cost $5,150) and authorized the borough treasurer, Stephen McCourt, as the borough's delegate to the Delaware County Tax Collection Committee, with Councilwoman Janice Sawicki as alternate.

Process and dissent

One council member explained a no vote on the chief's contract on procedural grounds, saying the hiring and contract negotiation lacked the transparency and posting the member expected. The member said the vote against the contract was not a reflection on Chief Havoc's qualifications and wished him success in the role.

Ending

Council took no further ordinance adoptions at the meeting but voted to advertise an amended noise-control ordinance for public comment. Several items, including the Samson Park change orders and the DCED grant resolution, will return for follow-up action in subsequent meetings.