BELLE VERNON - Borough officials said Monday they will take a closer look at an agreement that would include a third municipality as a sponsor of the regional police force.
A motion by public safety chairman Richard Saxberg to allow the Southwest Regional Police Department to include Long Branch Borough died for a lack of a second.
Councilman Michael Frederick said council needs more time to study the agreement to avoid a potential conflict of interest before adopting the proposed three-year deal.
"I truthfully don't like the fact that our solicitor for Belle Vernon Borough is also the solicitor for the Southwest Regional," said Frederick.
"He's doing what he is told to do in putting together this contract and he has to come to this meeting to face us and to try to answer questions to keep both sides happy. I don't particularly think that's in the best interest."
Attorney Jack Bergstein serves as legal counsel for both the borough and the police department.
The regional department, formed in November 2003, is operated by Belle Vernon and Newell boroughs. It has been providing services to Long Branch since January 2006.
At Monday's Council meeting, Bergstein highlighted a new agreement that, if accepted, would have been effective on or before July 1 and run through July 1, 2010.
Under that agreement, he said, 69 percent of the financial support would come from Belle Vernon, with 22 percent from Long Branch and 9 percent from Newell.
Bergstein said the percentages would be open to review annually, with changes allowed if approved by all three member councils.
According to Mayor James Bitonti, the borough currently contributes about $70,000 annually to the police budget. As a partner, he said, Long Branch would contribute about $500 more per month than it currently pays for police service.
Under the proposed agreement, Bergstein said a municipality, with proper written notice, can withdraw from the partnership after one year.
The proposed agreement also changes the due date of the annual written financial report to the state Department of Community and Economic Development and the municipalities from Feb. 15 to April 1 and gives the police board the right to choose an independent auditor rather than a more costly certified public accountant.
As in the current deal, all properties contributed to the department by the individual parties prior to establishing a police board will revert to the respective boroughs in the event that the regional police force is dissolved. However, all equipment acquired after the board is set in place will be valued by the board and distributed pro rata among the partners in the event of a dissolution.
Bergstein said he understands council's concern that he serves as legal adviser to both entities.
"I did express to them when I started my comments that I was the solicitor for both the police department and borough council, and if the council so desires, it may want to seek separate counsel to review it (agreement) and give an opinion," said Bergstein.
In a related matter, Councilman Keith Kroeschel requested a more detailed public safety budget report each month.
Also on Monday, the mayor announced the local municipal authority received a $44,100 grant to extend water lines to Blind Lane. The grant, secured through state Sen. Richard A. Kasunic, must be used by July 1, 2008.
In other business, Board President Verne Horan noted a meeting will take place 7 p.m. Wednesday with representatives from R.A. Monzo, contractor for the ongoing sewerage project, Fayette Management engineering firm and First United Methodist Church of Belle Vernon to discuss issues with the sidewalk at the church, which is located at State and Market streets.
