Dunbar hired part-time police officers
DUNBAR – Council Monday agreed to hire two new part-time police officers.
John M. Kauer of Youngwood and Joseph Lane of Scottdale will join part-time police officers Steve Hagagus, Edward Stroko and Sgt. Don Gmitter and full-time Police Chief Mike Garlowich as members of the force. Garlowich was moved from a part-time position to full-time position last month when council agreed to accept a U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Program (COPS) grant.
Council agreed to put $1,000 into a separate police bank account as part of its contribution to the COPS grant. Police Committee chairman Frank Zadell said in the first year of the grant the local amount would equal 25 percent or $8,304.90.
Zadell also said that the federal government would pay 75 percent in the first year, which amounts to $24,914.70. Garlowich will make $33,219.60 in the first year of his contract. In the second year of the grant the local and federal amount is split 50/50 while in the third year the federal contribution is 25 percent and the local amount is 75 percent.
Councilwoman Kathlene Dynes asked what’s being done to stop quad traffic in the borough. Zadell said, “If you had a cop watching the borough 24-hours a day, seven-days a week you couldn’t stop it.”
Dynes insisted that quad drivers are using the lower end of town as a “freeway” and said police reports have been filed.
Zadell said now that Garlowich is full-time he will talk to him about getting the problem solved. Zadell also asked council to approve the purchase of a $469.97 police bike. Zadell said local business owners donated about $400 towards the project and said that the borough’s part of the bill would only bey $69.97. Council agreed to the purchase.
Council president John Maddas said he wants something in writing that the Dunbar Borough/Township Sanitary Authority will have several streets fixed in the borough.
Maddas said the streets were opened after they were paved and they have sunk and are causing a driving hazard.
Councilman Redding Bunting said after the work has been completed on the Ranch Road extension the contractor will take care of it.
“It’s my understanding that the contractor will tie up lose ends once the Ranch Road project is finished,” said Bunting. “In the meantime I would suggest that you make a list and when they come back we’ll get it done.”
Council agreed to pass a parking ordinance that set fines for people who do not obey the law. Solicitor Doug Sepic said the new ordinance is “extremely comprehensive” and allows for fines ranging from standard to average.
Parking in a handicapped zone will cost offenders between $50 and $100, parking in a police officers zone will cost $50, parking in front of a yellow curb will cost $10, parking in a towing zone will cost $25, parking at an expired parking meter (even though the borough doesn’t have any) will cost between $1 and $5 and parking on the sidewalk will cost $25.
Council reminded resident s that spring cleanup will be held on June 22 and 24. Residents must pre-pay for their items to be picked up at the borough building by June 21, according to borough secretary Rachelle Hughes.
Hughes reminded residents that items should be placed at the curb the night before pickup. Items to be collected on June 22 include hard-to-recycle items such as large appliances, oil and tires. The cleanup is being held in conjunction with the county’s cleanup to be held at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.