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Mayor and council debate hiring a full-time police officer amid stormwater cost concerns
Summary
Mayor Robert Wolf and the police chief said the borough needs another full-time officer and a candidate had completed testing; several councilors, including Melissa Winkler and James Kerns, said they were unaware of the hiring effort and cited stormwater repair costs as a reason the hiring motion failed.
Councilors and the mayor discussed but did not approve hiring another full-time police officer during the July 23 meeting.
Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough owes the candidate an explanation after the candidate completed testing and evaluations and that the candidate preferred a smaller department. Wolf said he and the police chief discussed the borough’s need and want for another full-time officer.
Councilor Melissa Winkler said she was not aware the council was considering hiring and expressed concern about the costs connected to recent stormwater problems. Councilor James Kerns echoed concern about stormwater-related costs and council members framed the failed hiring motion as a decision driven by pending stormwater issues and unexpected expenses rather than objections to the candidate personally.
Jeremy Sterling of Centerville had earlier questioned council about the decision not to hire another officer; council deferred to later discussion and then debated the staffing matter in executive-level remarks recorded in the minutes. The minutes do not record a new motion being made, nor do they record final action on hiring at this meeting.
