East Beth reduces officer to part time
FREDERICKTOWN – Despite budgeting for a full-time police officer at the beginning of the year, board members voted to change the status of an East Bethlehem Township officer in order to save money during their regular meeting Monday evening. Board member Gus Impiccini motioned to take Sgt. John Miller from full-time status to part-time status until the end of the year effective immediately, while vice president Paul Battaglini made the second to the motion.
Board member Mike Packrall voted against the motion, while President Mark Giovanelli did not vote.
Giovanelli explained that he did not vote on the matter because he understood that the president only voted in the case of a tie.
However, he noted after the meeting that he was not in favor of the decision.
Impiccini added that he made the motion so the township could save $800 a month in health insurance expenses.
Battaglini suggested hiring another part-time officer, but Giovanelli did not agree, stating that he did not understand the logic in doing so.
Battaglini explained that after the November elections, the new board might agree to make Miller a full-time officer again.
Packrall asked if the board could pull the citations Miller has written in order to determine if the amount of money brought in by the citations offsets the cost of having Miller employed full time. The township pays Miller’s health insurance only when employed full time.
A resident in the audience pointed out that as a taxpayer he does not want police officers writing citations just to keep their jobs.
The township budgeted for a full-time officer at the beginning of the year, Packrall noted.
“If this is over $800, I just don’t see it,” he added. “We need a full-time officer. We’ve had one for years. I don’t understand this situation.”
As a part-time employee, Miller would work 38 hours a week, Giovanelli estimated, adding that an officer would be needed for events such as graduation.
Miller has stated that he plans to pursue a lawsuit against Battaglini for harassment.
Former township police officer James Tyrone Phillips, who was fired in September 2006, made similar claims against the commissioner.
In other matters, the board agreed to send board member Mike Vogel a certified letter requesting his intentions of serving on the board. Vogel has missed several meetings.