Mar 20, 2007 By Joyce Koballa 2 min read

EVERSON – A referendum on the November General election ballot will be the deciding factor as to whether or not residents want to continue paying another 2 mills for increased police protection. Until then, borough council unanimously agreed on Monday to hire one or two part-time police officers that would be paid for by raising property taxes to 4.5395 mills under an ordinance adopted by council in December.

With the tax increase, a property assessed at $50,000 would pay 63-cents per day, according to council president Mike Banaszak.

“This is what we asked for in the first place,” said resident Joe Ivan of the referendum.

Ivan, along with fellow residents, George Basinger, Vincent Santarel and Ann Szczygiel have continued to share their opposition to the tax hike with council for the last several months.

After receiving a petition last month that included 210 signatures against the move, Banaszak appointed a three-member committee to further address the feasibility of the names along with the costs needed to maintain the police department.

The borough currently receives 24 hours of police protection per week carried out by two, part-time officers.

The study resulted in a recommendation by Banaszak to form a separate committee that would determine how the question would be worded on the election ballot chaired by councilman Eric Christner, along with Banaszak, Mayor Tim Shoemaker and councilman George Sherbondy as well as Ivan and Basinger representing the citizens.

Banaszak also appointed councilman Neil Stevens, but he declined to serve on the committee.

As for the remainder of this year, Banaszak said the additional police hired under the initial 2-mill tax increase would patrol the borough.

“Realizing we’re not going to get a full-time officer to work seven months we’ll have to start interviewing candidates,” said Shoemaker.

Stevens cast the only dissenting vote against hiring additional police reflective of the petition signed by residents opposed to increased patrols.

Banaszak added the committee would meet before next month to begin working on the referendum.

Turning to other business, council agreed to hold spring clean up on April 30.

Council also agreed for Everson Evangelical Church to use Centennial Park on April 7 at 1 p.m. for its annual Easter egg hunt.

Announced the church will host the movie “Facing the Giants” also on April 1 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary. Tickets are free and required in advance.