Union City council cites stormwater repair costs as reason for pausing full‑time police hire

Union City Borough councilors said concerns about unanticipated stormwater repair costs influenced their decision not to proceed with hiring a full‑time police officer at the July 23 meeting.

Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough "owes the candidate an explanation" after the hiring motion failed and described the applicant as "a good candidate" who will continue testing in the police consortium. Councilors Melissa Winkler and James Kerns said their concern was fiscal: stormwater problems and related costs made them reluctant to add a full‑time salary at this time.

The council discussed recent stormwater work being planned for Municipal Lot #1. Streets Supervisor Bob Phillips reported crews had placed 400 gallons of dye into a storm drain near Hogan’s Alley and found the dye entering sanitary lines that lead to Municipal Lot #1; he said he is arranging camera inspections and recommended extending the camera work toward the Salvation Army to locate underground defects. Phillips also presented repair quotes: McLallen Construction quoted $6,800 and Mansfield quoted $5,000, with the borough supplying pipe and fittings at an estimated additional $5,000.

Councilor Kerns and other councilors framed the hiring decision around those infrastructure needs rather than the qualifications of the candidate. The council did not take formal further action on police staffing at the meeting; the candidate will undergo consortium testing and council indicated the topic will be revisited in future sessions.

The meeting later recessed into an executive session from 6:42 to 7:37 p.m. to discuss personnel and contracts; no action was taken in executive session.