Council cites stormwater costs in decision not to add full‑time officer; mayor seeks to notify candidate

Council discussion at the July 23 meeting made clear that financial pressures from recent and pending stormwater repairs weighed on the body’s decision not to hire an additional full‑time police officer.

Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough ‘‘owes the candidate an explanation’’ after the person completed testing and evaluations and that the candidate planned to pursue testing in the consortium and preferred a smaller department. Wolf said he and the police chief had expressed both a want and a need for another full‑time officer.

Councilor Melissa Winkler said she was not aware the borough was pursuing another officer and expressed concern about costs tied to recent stormwater issues. Councilor James Kerns also cited stormwater concerns and unexpected costs as a reason the council was not prepared to hire at this time. The council recorded no formal hiring action during the meeting.

A member of the public, Jeremy Sterling of Centerville, asked the council earlier in the meeting what the outcome would be after the body declined to hire; councilors indicated they would discuss the matter during the session. The minutes show no subsequent vote to hire; the discussion concluded with direction to address near‑term stormwater repairs first and to communicate with the candidate about the borough’s decision.