Waite Hill council confirms Keith DeWitt as chief, appoints Michael Sevel as patrolman

Waite Hill's Village Council on Feb. 13 unanimously confirmed Acting Chief Keith DeWitt as Chief of Police and approved the mayor's appointment of Michael Sevel as a patrolman.

Council first voted to suspend the ordinance three-reading rule and then adopted Ordinance No. 2012-4, which confirms DeWitt's appointment and amends the compensation for the chief. The roll call for both the suspension and adoption recorded yeas from Ryan Cox, Ken Dery, Robert Gale, Karl Scheucher, Richard Steudel and Courtenay Taplin and no nays. Mayor Robert A. Ranallo administered the oath of office to DeWitt following the vote.

By unanimous agreement the council then considered the mayor's nomination of Michael Sevel. Chief DeWitt summarized Sevel's background and experience for council (the minutes note an "impressive lineage"), and Karl Scheucher moved to confirm the appointment; the motion carried on unanimous roll call. Mayor Ranallo administered the oath to Patrolman Sevel.

Council members and the mayor discussed policing staffing and budget impacts. The Finance Committee reported that the police budget has been reduced for 2012. Mayor Ranallo said the village does not expect to appoint another full-time officer and that additional coverage will be provided by part-time officers, producing some budget savings. Chief DeWitt told council a new part-time officer is likely to be appointed only after Patrolman Sevel completes field training so that only one training period occurs at a time.

The meeting record shows the audience that had attended for the appointments dispersed after the oaths were administered. The council continued with other agenda items and adjourned at 9:13 a.m.