MONTGOMERY — Edward Alexander and Allen Bennett took the oath of office in person at the Montgomery Borough Council meeting on Tuesday to be sworn in to fill the vacancies of borough mayor and council member.

Council unanimously agreed to appoint Alexander as the new mayor and Bennett as a new council member.

“I would like to congratulate our new mayor, and our new borough council member,” Rocky Sanguedolce, council vice president, said.

Susan Andrews then reverted to her role as borough president for Alexander to take his seat as mayor.

Roger McRae was also unanimously elected as council president pro-tem.

Locals Ralph Wilson and Shawn Coles all brought up police concerns during public comment.

Coles wanted to mention that she has seen increased drug use and purchases within the borough, including a transaction she saw on the corner of Main Street and West Houston Avenue.

“I respect our officers here,” she said. “However when I am seeing them here, I am seeing them in the office. Presence deters crime. Enough is enough.”

In light of the recent police brutality events, Wilson asks borough council to propose newer restrictions on what borough police officers can do in a situation, including restricting the use of the neck and choke holds unless the officer is in a more serious or dangerous situation.

Council did not comment on this request.

Ruth Little asked about the use of the body cameras for police as officers have not been using them and it was not discussed as to when the cameras would be operational and used.

“The policy (for the body cameras and usage) was put into place,” Andrews said. “There was some language that allowed for loopholes. We are working on closing those loopholes.”

Andrews did not give a timeline as to when the policy will be amended and back in use.

In another police matter, Muncy Borough Police Department “terminated” their shared services agreement with the Montgomery Borough Police Department as they were not frequently handling Montgomery Borough incidents and are no longer needed unless in emergencies according to Andrews.

Council unanimously agreed to this termination of services.

The Summer Alive program has been doubling its volume by giving out over 1,000 meals a week and is looking for volunteers on Sundays at the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Company to pack up bags of cereal. For more information, contact Tina Tickle, food program director.

The recycling center, which was moved to the local landfill due to COVID-19, will not be moving back to its original location according to Donna Miller, borough coordinator. She added that this was a decision made by the county.

Council also met before the board meeting for an executive session on legal and personnel issues that were not discussed at the public meeting.

The next meeting will be held July 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the borough building. Masks are still required at this time.