Dawson council clarifies police-protection issue
Dawson police officer Roger Adams told council Monday that he is willing to make sure that the borough has police protection at least 45 hours a month. Adams, who has been at the center of controversy over the past couple of months because council wasn’t sure if he was still working for the borough, also said that he is going to begin cracking down on juveniles under the age of 18 who are out after curfew.
“I cited two juveniles, and I just want to let parents know if I catch these kids or any other kids out after the 9:30 p.m. curfew, I’m going to cite them,” said Adams.
Adams said that, under the law, he is required to take first-time offenders home and speak with their parents. After that, he is free to cite them and the parents can be subject to up to a $300 fine, said the police officer.
“Parents need to know where their children are,” said Adams. “We have a curfew for a reason. Even if the kids are watching movies at one another’s houses, an adult needs to take them home when they are finished.”
In other related matters, council agreed to have Uniontown resident Christopher Kozlowski meet with council next month to discuss employment.
Kozlowski will graduate from the police academy on Jan. 17 and Adams has recommended him for employment with the borough on a part-time basis. Councilman Emerson Long said that, in fairness to Adams, council should interview Kozlowski.
“He sent us a resume,” said Long. “I think we should talk to him and Roger at the same time.”
Adams said he is willing to split the 45 hours a month with Kozlowski.
Council also heard from newly elected fire chief James Rearick Jr. Rearick said the Dawson Volunteer Fire Company recently elected executive officers.
They are William Colbert Sr., president; Karl Siple, vice president; Nicole Keffer, secretary and chaplain; Beth Lynn, assistant secretary; Frank Lamanna, financial secretary; Leonard Fleming, treasurer; and Rearick, sergeant at arms. Line officers, in addition to Rearick, are Robert Keffer, assistant chief; James Rearick Jr., Captain 1; William Hennessey, Captain 2; and Siple, Second Lieutenant. Safety officers are Mark Enos and Lamanna.
Council also agreed to have Adams, who serves as code-enforcement officer, to send a letter to David Steward of Griscom Street, informing him of a rat problem on his property.
Mayor Barbara Wilhelm said she talked to Steward’s wife about the problem and was informed that they are trying to correct it.
However, council wants the Stewards to remove brush adjacent to their property where the rats appear to be nesting.
Solicitor Richard Husband agreed to look into a FCC problem involving a borough man whose CB radio is interfering with residents’ telephone, television and radio transmissions.
Council also welcomed newly appointed councilwoman Claudia Hiles of Cochran Street. Hiles, a production employee of NuMetrics, is looking forward to working with council.
She said, “I don’t know yet if I’ll run for the office I’ve been appointed to, but I am looking forward to working with council and the people of my town.”
Hiles said she also hopes to see council and the community come together.
“This is a nice place to live and I would really like to see more people take pride in our community,” she said.
Hiles is married to Jerry Hiles and they are the parents of four grown children. She is a member of the Tri-Town Historical Society.
Hiles took office in late December when council appointed new tax collector Frank Ansell. Ansell replaced former tax collector Lois Turney, who passed away. Hiles is a Democrat and a lifelong resident of Dawson.