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Councilors question hiring a new full-time police officer amid stormwater cost concerns
Summary
Councilors and the mayor discussed a failed motion to hire another full‑time police officer; Mayor Robert Wolf urged providing the candidate an explanation, while Councilors Melissa Winkler and James Kerns cited recent stormwater repair costs as a reason to pause hiring.
Councilors and borough leadership on July 23 revisited a recent decision not to hire a new full‑time police officer, with budgetary concerns about stormwater repairs weighing on the discussion.
Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough "owe[s] the candidate an explanation for having him go through all this testing and evaluations," and indicated he and the police chief favored adding a full‑time officer. Jeremy Sterling of Centerville asked the council why it decided against hiring another officer; councilors said the topic would be discussed later in the meeting.
Councilors Melissa Winkler and James Kerns told colleagues they were worried that the borough’s recent stormwater problems and the unexpected repair costs influenced the decision not to proceed with a hire at this time. No formal motion to hire was approved during the meeting.
The police chief provided the June 2024 report to council; no questions were recorded following that report. The council later entered an executive session to discuss personnel and contracts from 6:42 to 7:37 p.m.; the minutes state no action was taken during that session.
Next steps: The minutes do not record a new vote on hiring. Mayor Wolf’s comment indicates the borough intends to follow up with the candidate; councilors asked for more information about budget implications before taking further action.
