Mar 26, 2003 By Joyce Koballa 2 min read

CONNELLSVILLE TWP.- The township supervisors along with members of the South Connellsville Borough Council police committee were unable to take action Tuesday involving a $60,000 intermunicipal police protection agreement between the two municipalities because of a lack of a quorum. However, they did agree while discussing the pact for township solicitor Gretchen Mundorff to prepare an agreement before April 8 so that council could vote on the proposal at its April 14 meeting.

In addition, Mayor Pete Casini and Bill Copeland, councilman and police committee chairman, would provide the cost for the patrols as well as the number of officers that would be used.

Absent were supervisor Tammy Mader and councilman Guy Napolillo.

The township was issued a $60,904 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Universal Hiring Grant in 2001 by the U.S. Justice Department that needs to be activated before Dec. 31.

Both municipalities have continued to haggle over the grant for a number of months, trying to iron out various terms and conditions under the agreement, such as contract negotiations, personnel matters and possible litigation.

Donald Hann, supervisor, added that he is anxious to “get it settled,” and took some matters into his own hands after receiving ongoing complaints. “I don’t think it’s my place to do that,” said Hann.

Under the initial agreement, the township was to receive 32 hours of police protection a week from two part-time police officers working 16 hours each.

For the most part, Richard Bower, borough solicitor, said the borough and township have always maintained a good working relationship. “This is just one of those little speed bumps,” said Bower.

While the borough provided police protection under a separate COPS grants in 2000, both municipalities agreed to a $2,150 contract for three months of police protection until receiving official notification from the justice department of the funding.

Prior to the grant, the township operated without police patrol since 1996 when supervisors eliminated the one-man force of Roger Adams after they agreed it could no longer afford the $35,000 price tag.

Mundorff said if both municipalities are able to reach an agreement that the borough would serve as the main contact for the grant.

In return, the township would provide police reports by obtaining the necessary information from the borough, which has been an ongoing problem, according to Mundorff.

If both municipalities vote in favor of the agreement in April, Casini noted that the township could receive police protection as early as May.