Chief seeks transfer for firearms purchase; committee certifies 12 volunteer firefighters for tax credit and questions hiring bonus

The Finance & Revenue Committee considered several police‑related items, including a requested budget transfer for firearms, certification of volunteer firefighters for tax credits and a discussion about a hiring posting from the West Chester Police Department.

Police Chief Josh Lee requested a transfer from the operating budget to the capital budget so the department can purchase firearms and a new sighting system. Lee described the transfer as a net‑zero transaction: "It's just being transferred from operating to capital," he said, adding he could explain further if needed. The committee raised no substantive objections on the dais during the meeting.

On volunteers, Finance staff said 12 individuals met the qualifications to receive the borough's volunteer firefighter real‑estate tax credit for 2026; Leonte reported the total tax credit for those certified will be $10,362.98 and noted the eligible list was submitted by the Jan. 15 deadline and must be certified by March 1.

During other business, a councilmember read a resident's copy of a West Chester Police Department hiring notice that stated candidates could receive a $10,000 signing bonus and that the borough would send recruits to the police academy (Act 120). Members and the borough manager clarified that the $10,000 amount is a negotiated provision in the labor contract and is not paid as a single upfront check in all cases; it is tied to certification milestones and paid over time in many instances, and the borough assists with Act 120 tuition for hires in some circumstances. The manager said the pool of applicants is smaller this year than in past cycles.

No formal votes on hiring policy were taken; the committee certified the volunteer list and accepted the firearms budget transfer on consent.