Delmont plans to add officers

Delmont officials voted unanimously Tuesday to hire a fifth full-time police officer.

Jacob Cholock, a part-time officer, will shift to full-time beginning Nov. 20 — a move police Chief T.J. Klobucar said will help alleviate staffing shortages.

Councilman David Piper voted for the hire but cautioned that the borough's 2017 budget — which was set at just over $1 million following an executive session Tuesday night — is not sustainable.

Councilwoman Becky Matesevac said the police department is pulling its weight, financially speaking.

“They've brought in a whole lot of money that would make up for shortfalls,” she said.

Piper agreed.

“I'm not attacking the police department,” he said. “We need (the fifth officer).”

Council President Andy Shissler said officials have managed to keep the budget balanced through a combination of planning and cuts.

“I've been here 10 years. The budgets are always tight,” Shissler said.

Council voted unanimously to hire two additional part-time officers, who will be used sparingly, according to Klobucar, “so we don't have any additional scheduling problems during busy times and holidays.”

Hiring another full-time officer was suggested during council's annual budget workshops as a way to solve the problem of part-time officers regularly leaving for other departments. Klobucar said a combination of budget factors, including increased revenue from fines and making the final lease payments on department vehicles by the end of the year, would help cover the additional costs.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-850-2862 or pvarine@tribweb.com.