Council delays hiring a police officer as stormwater costs weigh on decision

Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough owes the candidate "an explanation for having him go through all this testing and evaluations," and noted the candidate "would rather be in a smaller department vs a large one." Mayor Robert Wolf made these remarks while council discussed why a recent motion to hire a full-time officer failed.

The question was first raised by Jeremy Sterling of Centerville, who asked council what would be the outcome of their decision not to hire another officer. Council told him the topic would be discussed later in the meeting.

Councilor Melissa Winkler said she had not been aware that the borough was looking to hire another officer and voiced concern that the recent stormwater issues and their unexpected costs influenced the decision. Councilor James Kerns agreed, saying stormwater problems were a concern and that the hiring delay was "not because of the candidate himself but more due to the pending stormwater issues and the unexpected costs."

The Police Chief provided the June 2024 report earlier in the agenda, and no questions were recorded about the report itself. Council did not take a hiring action during the meeting; minutes record discussion only and do not show a subsequent vote or formal direction to staff on next steps.

The next procedural step recorded in the minutes was an executive session on personnel and contracts held after adjournment; the minutes state no action was taken in that session. The minutes do not specify whether the candidate will receive a formal written explanation or a timeline for reconsideration.

The discussion underscores councilors' concern about balancing staffing needs with unanticipated infrastructure costs; the borough is simultaneously considering sinkhole and storm sewer repairs that council members said affect budgeting decisions.