West Kittanning Residents Push for Full-time Police

Approximately 16 concerned residents - including Jeanne Englert, who is speaking here - came before West Kittanning Borough Council last night to hear updated comments regarding a full-time police contract with Kittanning Borough Police Department. Council confirmed talks are forthcoming with Kittanning Borough and East Franklin Township.

by Jonathan Weaver

It’s only been four weeks, but West Kittanning is urging Council to sign a contract with Kittanning for full-time coverage.

Jeanne Englert of Bluff Street spoke on behalf of the voters who voted for Council to consider full-time police protection from Kittanning Borough.  Approximately 250 voters – or 65 percent of the population – in West Kittanning Borough voted to mandate expanded police coverage in the November General Election.

“We don’t feel that we are protected safely or enough having just two part-time police officers,” Englert said. “With Kittanning, they would be patrolling up here at least once a shift, if not more.”

She asked Council to form a committee of both borough residents and council members and discuss the safety issues before consulting about a possible agreement with Kittanning Borough Council and Police Department.

“Those that voted voted for you people to at least look into it,” Englert said.

At previous meetings and yesterday, council members said the contracted police coverage would cost an estimated $45,000, which is $5,000 more than what borough taxpayers pay for service now. Council said that would be an estimated two mills of tax.

One mill generates $19,945.

“We can’t continue to pay part time police officers that are working 60 out of 160 working hours in a week $5,000 less than we would pay for a full-time police force from Kittanning Borough. The revenue that would be incurred by that would more-than-cover what would be spent, Englert said.

“You wouldn’t have to raise it one – you’d barely have to raise it a quarter, which actually, you wouldn’t have to raise it at all,” Englert said. “If you won’t consider this, we have to think that you’re not concerned for the residents’ safety.”

The comment drew concern from council members.

During an executive session, Englert clarified her statement.

“I didn’t mean they didn’t care about their kids – the point is you have to take into consideration every person that lives within this municipality, not just your family,” Englert said.

Carol Augustine of Cleveland Street supported Englert and clarified that monetary fines that occur during Kittanning Borough’s patrol would stay within West Kittanning.

“Jeanne said that when the State Police come in, they can’t enforce our ordinances – that is true. But if they contract with Kittanning Borough, Kittanning Borough under contract can and will enforce West Kittanning ordinances and the fines stay in West Kittanning – they get their $45,000 and that’s it,” Augustine said.

Council President Cliff Neal confirmed that the Police Committee has met and made points to discuss with Kittanning Borough Council and is playing ‘phone tag’ with Kittanning Borough Mayor Kirk Atwood about a meeting date.

“We are not sitting on our hands; we are pursuing this matter with Kittanning Borough,” Neal said.

Neal said West Kittanning will also speak with the East Franklin Township supervisors regarding a possible contract with their police force.

East Franklin Polling Place Moved

The East Franklin Township fire hall will not be a voting location for the 'East Franklin East/West' voting district in November's General Election because of space and noise concerns. Voters will be required to cast their ballot in Harvest Community Church's activities room, located at 142 Reed Road in Kittanning.

by Jonathan Weaver

Voters in the upcoming General Election may have to travel to a different township location to cast their vote.

East Franklin Township residents who vote in the ‘East Franklin East/West’ district will be required to vote in the Harvest Community Church activities room instead of at the East Franklin Township fire hall because of space concerns.

County Director of Elections Wendy Buzard explained the change to county commissioners during Thursday’s public meeting.

“Because East Franklin East/West are two of our larger districts, that facility has become very crowded for them, and it becomes confusing on Election Day because they have to squeeze everybody in to such a small facility,” Buzard said. “Plus, when the air conditioning and heating system come on, they have a hard time hearing anybody, so we are requesting it be changed. We have notified all the parties and everybody is on board with it.”

Posters and notifications will be displayed throughout the township to alert residents of the new polling location, which is located at 142 Reed Road in Kittanning.

Election Day nationwide will be held Tuesday, November 8. Votes may be cast from 7AM-8PM.

The last day to register to vote or submit a change of address is this Tuesday, October 11. Absentee ballot applications are available now through November 1 via the county elections office on the second floor of the Administration Building beside the county courthouse or online at www.co.armstrong.pa.us

Offices are closed today, Monday, October 10 in observance of Columbus Day.