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Union City council cites stormwater costs as factor in failed police-hiring motion
Summary
Union City councilors discussed a recent failed motion to hire a full-time police officer, saying concerns about unexpected stormwater repair costs—not objections to the candidate’s qualifications—were central. The mayor and chief said the candidate should receive an explanation and will pursue consortium testing.
Union City Borough councilors discussed but did not approve adding a full-time police officer during their July 23 meeting, with members saying municipal stormwater repair costs influenced the outcome rather than the candidate’s qualifications.
Mayor Robert Wolf told council the candidate had completed testing and evaluations and “is a good candidate” who intends to pursue testing through the consortium, and that the borough owes the applicant an explanation for the failed motion. The Police Chief provided the June report and confirmed the department’s interest in filling the vacancy.
Councilor Melissa Winkler said she had not been aware the borough was proceeding with a hire and raised concerns about the costs tied to recent stormwater problems. Councilor James Kerns similarly said the decision reflected uncertainty about the town’s immediate stormwater repair costs, not objections to the candidate.
No formal hiring motion or vote in the minutes indicates a hire was approved at the meeting. Council recorded a later executive session on personnel and contracts (6:42–7:37 p.m.) with no action taken during that session.
The council did not set a public timetable at the meeting for revisiting the hiring question; the minutes record that council planned to discuss the issue further and that the borough would communicate with the candidate about next steps.
