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Mayor and council spar over decision not to hire another full‑time police officer
Summary
Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough owes an explanation to a police candidate after a hiring motion failed; councilors said concerns over pending stormwater repair costs influenced their decision not to proceed with hiring.
The hiring of an additional full‑time police officer was raised at the July 23 Union City Borough Council meeting but no hire was approved.
Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough owes the candidate an explanation after the hiring motion failed and described the candidate as a good prospect who would prefer a smaller department. Councilors, including Melissa Winkler and James Kerns, told the mayor they were concerned the borough faces pending stormwater repairs and unexpected costs, and that those fiscal uncertainties affected their willingness to add a full‑time officer at this time. The minutes record no subsequent motion to hire or a timeline for revisiting the staffing question.
A member of the public, Jeremy Sterling of Centerville, asked council about the decision and was told the matter would be discussed later in the meeting. The minutes do not record a formal vote on hiring beyond the discussion nor any commitment to return to the topic with a decision.
