×

Muncy Borough Council approves police contracts

MUNCY — Muncy Borough Council approved a new contract between the borough and the police department that would see an increase in wages of $2 an hour, among other agenda items this week.

Borough council approved the 2022-2024 police contract 6-1, which, among other small changes, showed a $2 wage increase for uniformed officers.

The starting hourly wage of a full time uniformed officer will be $23.02, increasing up to $24.50 in 2024. Officer wages increase up to $27.16 in 2024 for officers who have spent more than four years with the department.

Part time officers start at a $20.50 probationary status in 2022, increasing up to $24.50 for more than four years of service with the department.

“We did it because it was equitable with other police departments in the area, and we have to be competitive,” Borough Council President Ed Feigles said.

Richard Baker, a borough councilman, voted against the motion to accept the contract due to the $2 increase.

Furthermore, the borough council approved the minimum municipal obligation to borough employee pensions. The minimum obligation to the nonuniformed pension for 2022 is $78,157, while the minimum obligation to the uniformed pension is $48,463.

Borough council also announced trick-or-treat will occur Saturday, Oct. 30, from 6-8 p.m.

Members of the Muncy Historical Society approached the Muncy Borough Council about repurposing the “grassy knoll” on the corner of Main and Water Streets into a community recreation area.

Bill Poulton, the historical society’s president, told council the society is seeking a $50,000 grant for the project.

Although borough council did not make any formal motions on the matter, they encouraged Poulton to move forward with drafting the application, warning him of the state Department of Transportation right-of-way on the side of the road as well as the fact that the area is in the floodplain.

In other news, borough council unanimously voted to permit borough manager Charley Hall to seek a multimodal transportation grant to help replace the Carpenter Street bridge.

According to Hall, the bridge has several underlying issues beneath it that indicate it should be replaced in the long term.

Borough council accepted Gardner Tree Services’ offer to remove 21 dead trees around the borough’s maintenance shed on Old Glade Run Road for $4,725.

James Dorman, borough police chief, also announced the 2013 cruiser the department was trading in on Municibid received a bid of $5,900, coming up short of the desired $8,000. However, because several items in the new cruiser the borough bought have been donated, the cost is essentially offset, he said.

Borough council approved accepting the bid, and also approved Dorman to sign any documentation for the purchase of a 2017 Ford Explorer.

Borough council next discussed three residents who had permitting violations on their properties who had not responded to notices of those violations.

According to Hall, the codes department will pursue action related to enforcing the removal of three pools or convincing the property owners obtaining proper zoning and flood plain management permits for the properties.

Much of the violations were located in the floodplain, which would mean that if the Federal Emergency Management Agency were to crack down on the unresolved violations, the borough, and consequently the taxpayers, would foot the bill, according to Feigles.

Discussion turned heated toward the end of the meeting when borough council Rick Umpstead mentioned several street stop bars and crosswalks in the borough had faded away and should be repaired.

“I bring this up every year and nothing gets done,” Umpstead said.

In turn, Hall requested help from the streets committee to locate the crosswalks and stop bars that needed to be repainted.

“It’s easier for everyone when you give them a list,” Feigles told Umpstead.

Muncy Borough Council will next meet Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. in the Muncy Area Vol. Fire Department.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today