Pennridge Regional Police Commission approves pension MMO, authorizes $3,775 attic-fan purchase and acknowledges 2024 audit

Pennridge Regional Police Commission members met Aug. 27, 2025, at Pennridge Regional Police Headquarters in Sellersville and approved a series of routine budget and operational items while discussing township timing for the 2026 police budget and department preparedness for active-shooter incidents.

Chairperson Gary Volovnik called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. and the commission approved the consent agenda — including the July 23 meeting minutes, the Aug. 27 financial report, payment of bills totaling $95,596.19 and the July chief’s report — on a motion by Hal Schirmer, seconded by Jay Keyser. With no additional discussion, all present voted in favor.

Chief Paul T. Dickinson Jr. presented Officers Nicholas Windfelder and Russell Closs with letters of commendation for their roles in a July 17 missing-person investigation at the Three Mile Run Boat Launch in East Rockhill Township.

On budget matters, Chief Dickinson presented the second draft of the 2026 police budget; he reported no changes to that draft because neither township provided feedback before the August meeting. Commissioner Jim Nietupski and others said East Rockhill supervisors had discussed the budget at their Aug. 26 meeting and indicated board consensus to approve it. Commissioner Jay Keyser said West Rockhill supervisors will discuss the police budget in September.

The commission approved the 2026 Minimum Municipal Obligation to the Police Uniform and Non-Uniform Pension Plans on a motion by Hal Schirmer, seconded by Jay Keyser; the vote was unanimous among those present.

The commission authorized the installation of five attic fans in the police department attic, accepting an estimate from Hunsberger Electric (per an AMC Heating and Cooling recommendation). Chairperson Volovnik asked that the electrician and HVAC contractor coordinate to ensure the selected fans suit the system. The commission approved the work, at a cost of $3,775.00, on a motion by Jay Keyser, seconded by Hal Schirmer; all present voted in favor.

On finance oversight, the commission acknowledged the 2024 annual audit conducted by Zelenkofske and Axelrod LLC on a motion by Jay Keyser, seconded by Hal Schirmer; the acknowledgment passed unanimously.

During the citizen-comment/discussion portion, Commissioner Jay Keyser requested that East Rockhill Township report back to the commission on long-term plans for funding the police department. Commissioner Jim Nietupski questioned why West Rockhill had not provided feedback on the 2026 budget given uncertainty about East Rockhill’s funding commitment. Commissioner Hal Schirmer asked about the department’s readiness to respond to active-shooter incidents, citing recent events at Villanova and Minneapolis. Chief Dickinson responded that the department trains for active-shooter response, that policy and training are in place to prepare officers, and he "stressed the importance of the need to adequately fund and staff the police department to have the department prepared to respond to an incident in particular in the schools or hospital."

With those items completed, the public meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m. on a motion by Jay Keyser, seconded by Hal Schirmer, and the commission entered the announced executive session to discuss personnel matters.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda — approved (motion: Hal Schirmer; second: Jay Keyser; vote: unanimous); 2026 MMO — approved (motion: Hal Schirmer; second: Jay Keyser; vote: unanimous); Attic-fan installation, $3,775 — authorized (motion: Jay Keyser; second: Hal Schirmer; vote: unanimous); Acknowledgement of 2024 audit — accepted (motion: Jay Keyser; second: Hal Schirmer; vote: unanimous); Adjourn to executive session — approved (motion: Jay Keyser; second: Hal Schirmer; vote: unanimous).