Supervisors Finally Approve Hiring of Full-Time Officer

Police Chief Alan Siegfried asked to hire a full-time police officer -- a position that is  -- for the fifth time since Feb. 3.

This time his persistence paid off.

In a 3-2 vote, the  Wednesday night approved a motion made by Chairman Mike Rinker to hire a full-time officer.

The officer's expected start date is June 4, which coincides with the beginning of a pay period.

Supervisors James Augustine and Willard Mohn voted "no." They previously said they'd like to see tax revenue roll in before they committed to hiring another officer.

According to Supervisor Scott Sylvainus, the township has received $807,000 in real estate taxes, as opposed to $520,000 collected last year.

The township had  for real estate taxes.

"We’re over 80 percent collected already," Sylvainus noted.

"There’s the money," Rinker said immediately before making the motion.

Supervisor Andy Donello was on the fence. He was concerned about the full-time officers' contract expiring at the end of the year.

"I’m getting tired of this," he said about the topic being discussed at several meetings. "I’ll give ‘em the eighth officer, but there will be tough negotiations at the end of the year."

According to Siegfried, the township is relying heavily on part-time officers. In 2010, part-time officers worked 19 percent of the hours. Two years later, in 2012, the part-time officers are working a little over 32 percent of the hours.

Siegfried said a part-time officer who works the bulk of the hours will be getting married in May. He will then be leaving for his honeymoon.

During that period of seven to 10 days, Siegfried said, two shifts will not be filled "because there just aren’t enough warm bodies."

When Donello pondered the idea of hiring additional part-time officers instead, Siegfried said that option would cost the township more money than a full-time officer.

"It’s going to cost you in equipment, it’s going to cost you in training," the police chief said. "You add another five people -- right off the top of my head -- you’re probably going to spend $5,000 to $6,000 before they’re ready to go."

And Siegfried doesn't feel part-time officers are reliable because of their other obligations and full-time jobs.

"You can have 25 to 30 part-time officers, but you may still be in the situation where there's a hole in the schedule because everyone has obligations, their own lives, full-time jobs," he said. "Those numbers do not guarantee the shifts are filled."

Sylvainus added, "Their priority is not Upper Nazareth Township."

"No," Siegfried said in agreement.