Oct 9, 2013 By Cindy Lee Cumpston for The 4 min read

CARMICHAELS — Borough council will continue to look into the details of establishing a mutual-aid agreement between the police department and the Cumberland Township Police Department.

Council President Charles Walker reported at Tuesday’s council meeting that he, Councilman Ralph McWilliams and police Chief Mike Gyurke had met recently with the township supervisors and township police Chief Craig Miller.

Walker said the initial proposal by the township called for the borough to make an annual payment $20,000 to $24,000 to the township for police protection when Gyurke is not on duty.

Additionally, a computer program would have to be purchased by the borough for its police department to be compatible with the township police department. Walker also noted any revenue collected from citations issued in the borough would be allocated to the department issuing the citation.

In May, council members announced they were looking at a cost comparison between hiring a part-time officer and developing a working agreement with Cumberland where the township police would assist borough police in patrolling the borough.

Walker stressed any agreement would include Gyurke retaining his title and authority.

Currently the two police departments assist each other on incidents; however, when Gyurke is off duty, incidents in the borough are handled by the state police out of the Waynesburg station. Gyurke said he is on duty an average of 15 to 20 hours a week.

Walker said he presented the information from the initial meeting with the township to council for the members to review and then they could decide if they wished to hold a workshop on the proposal.

John Paletta, council vice president, noted the amount of payment requested by the township was nearly 25 percent of the borough’s annual budget.

Walker agreed it would be a significant cost, but said he believed the amount the township had requested a year was probably close to what it would cost the borough to hire another officer.

“The cost of both proposals is comparable if you take into account the cost of training, the purchase of equipment and other costs,” Walker said. “Then if that officer would resign, the borough would have to pay again for training and equipment for his replacement.”

McWilliams said if the borough chose to enter into a working agreement with the township police, the borough would have “24-7” police coverage, something it would not have if it hired an additional officer.

“That is a big thing right there,” he said.

According to borough secretary Brandi Streit, the 2013 budget is $130,000, with about $20,000 of the budget allocated to the police department.

McWilliams also noted the borough would look into whether proceeds from Act 13 unconventional well drilling impact fee could be used for police protection.

In other business, resident Paul Lesako asked Councilman Chris Watson when the 30-foot open basement of a building Watson owns on East George Street would be closed and secured.

“I have been asking since April when the basement of the building would be closed up,” Lesako said, “It remains open and a very dangerous situation that someone could easily fall into.”

On April 17, Watson appeared before Magisterial District Judge Lee Watson at a hearing regarding citations he had received about the condition of the building on his property on East George Street. He was ordered to pay total fines and costs of $324.

Borough engineer Frank Monack of K-2 Engineering of Uniontown, inspected the site and halted the work on May 22.

Watson said he recently received a building permit from K-2 Engineering to rebuild the building.

“I was working on it until the engineer made me stop,” Watson said, “This permit gives me six months to begin work.”

He said he did not know when the work would begin because the person he tasked to do the project has another job.

Watson did agree to place caution tape around the opening.

In other business, Streit announced several upcoming events to be held in the borough:

n The chamber of commerce’s Halloween parade will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. Trick-or-treating in the borough will be held from 4- 5:30 p.m. that day.

n Borough offices will be closed on the day of the election, Nov. 5.

n American Legion Post 400 will sponsor a Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11, beginning at 11 a.m. It will include a brief service in the town square, followed by a luncheon at the post home on Pine Street.

n The chamber of commerce’s “Light Up” night will be held Saturday, Nov. 30.