Council fails to confirm recommended police hire; retroactively appoints code enforcement officer

Union City Borough Council on July 9 did not confirm the Civil Service Commission’s recommended candidate for a full‑time police officer after a motion to hire received no second.

Police Chief David Pernice told the council Kenneth Fye passed civil‑service testing and background checks and was recommended by the Civil Service Commission. Councilor Steadman moved to hire Fye, but the motion failed for lack of a second and will be revisited at a future meeting; the minutes do not record a numeric vote tally. Chief Pernice later asked why the motion died so he could inform the applicant.

Separately, the Personnel Committee recommended Mark Zigler for the position of Code Enforcement Officer. Councilor Osborn moved and Councilor Joyce seconded a retroactive appointment; Councilor Uber opposed, and the motion carried. Minutes state Zigler is available to begin training July 12 and to commence work on July 29.

The council also reviewed summer maintenance staffing and contracts: the borough received three mowing and trimming quotes ranging from $750 to $1,200; Capela Landscape will perform mowing for four weeks beginning July 8 and may continue if needed. Adecco provided a candidate for summer public‑works help at an estimated $18 per hour for about 32 hours per week; the applicant’s start and final terms were not recorded in the minutes.

The minutes record motions and recommendations but do not supply numeric roll‑call counts for the failed police hiring motion or the retroactive appointment beyond the single “opposed” vote noted for Councilor Uber.