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.

West Kittanning Sets Proposed Budget

West Kittanning Borough Council unanimously approved to publish their proposed $322,000 budget for the 2012 calendar year for public review. Nearly $225,000 - or 70 percent - of budget is earmarked for operating expenses and $40,000 is budgeted for the West Kittanning Police Department, although that amount may change depending if the borough contracts with Kittanning Borough Police for police protection as General Election voters indicated November 8.

by Jonathan Weaver

Finances in West Kittanning are balanced, for now.

During a special meeting of the West Kittanning Borough Council Wednesday night, members unanimously voted 7-0 to publish their proposed 2012 budget for public review. The budget is tentatively approximately $322,000.  

All members of Council were in attendance, including Mayor Bernie Bowser, Jr.

The budget is balanced and there currently is no tax increase needed. Under the state Municipal Code, the budget must be available to the public for 20 days before it is ratified.

However, one might need to be instituted depending on a recent election result. The biggest uncertainty in the budget for next year is the police budget. Members currently have $40,000 set aside for its two-man part-time police force, but that figure might increase because of a poll question during the November General Election.

The question asked residents if they would approve to mandate Borough Council to adopt an ordinance and contract with Kittanning Borough for full-time police coverage. More than 65 percent of the population approved.

The contract with Kittanning Borough will supposedly cost $45,000 per year. Council held an executive session before the budget meeting to discuss police business, with Council President Cliff Neal saying afterward that if the new contract is approved, there will be a tax increase.

A meeting with Kittanning Borough Kirk Atwood and Kittanning Borough Police is to be scheduled.

Nearly 70 percent of the budget – or $225,000 – is allocated toward operating expenses, utilities and insurance. Examples of which include wages and street lights. Neal said that number could have increased due to increased gas prices.

The budget will be made available by a posting on the West Kittanning Borough Building. It will be revisited after public inspection at the December 6 public meeting, held at the Borough Building on Arthur Street at 6:30PM.