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Council discusses failed police-hiring motion as stormwater repairs weigh on budget
Summary
Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough owes a candidate an explanation after a motion to hire a full-time police officer failed; councilors said concerns about pending stormwater repairs and unanticipated costs influenced the decision rather than the candidate's qualifications.
During the July 23 meeting Council discussed a recent decision not to hire another full-time police officer.
Mayor Robert Wolf said the borough "owes the candidate an explanation" after the person completed testing and evaluations and questioned council about why the hiring motion failed. The mayor said the candidate had expressed a preference for working in a smaller department.
Councilor Melissa Winkler said she had not been aware the borough was pursuing another officer and expressed concern about the costs associated with recent stormwater issues. Councilor James Kerns said stormwater repairs and their unexpected costs were a central factor in council's decision-making rather than the candidate's fitness for the post. Council did not record a new motion to hire during the meeting and no formal action on hiring was taken at the July 23 session.
Jeremy Sterling of Centerville asked council earlier in the meeting to explain the decision on not hiring another officer; council said the topic would be discussed later in the agenda. Mayor Wolf and councilors indicated the matter remains unresolved and that the borough will need to communicate with the candidate about the outcome.
