Southern Police Commission
Monthly Meeting
May 6, 2009
A public meeting of the Southern Police Commission
was held on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at the New Freedom Borough Council
Chambers, 49 East High Street, New Freedom PA 17349.
Those present: Richard Buchanan
Chairman, Larry Flemmens Vice Chairman, John Peters Commissioner, Edward
Molinsky Commissioner, Jeff Joy
Commissioner, John LaMartina Commissioner, Commissioner James Reedy,
James Childs Chief of Police and Solicitor Chuck Patterson.
Those absent:
Edward Tinder Commissioner and Ronald McCullough Commissioner.
Chairman Richard Buchanan called the
meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Three people were present but had no comments at
this time.
Pastor James R. Sunderland, Jr. from
Trinity United Methodist Church took the oath of office, given by Mayor
Jeff Joy, for Police Chaplain.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF APRIL 1, 2009
Chairman Richard Buchanan asked for a motion to
approve the minutes of April 1, 2009, Commissioner James Reedy made a
motion to approve the minutes.
Commissioner Larry Flemmens seconded the motion, motion carried.
REVIEW OF EXPENDITURES FOR APRIL 2009
After members reviewed the expenditures
from April, Commissioner Edward Molinsky made a motion to approve checks
6527 through 6598, excluding voided checks 6578, 6579, 6980 and 6981,
and expenditures totaling $160,063.64 and Commissioner Larry Flemmens
seconded that motion, motion carried.
Commissioner Edward Molinsky questioned
check 6582 to Al’s Printing which was for 2,000
“No Parking” signs.
New Freedom Borough received 1,000 signs and will be reimbursing
the Southern Regional Police Department for half of this expense.
Chairman Richard Buchanan pointed out
that the cost of fuel is well within the budget.
CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Chairman Richard Buchanan received a letter from Glen
Rock Borough on April 15, 2009, regarding police services.
This letter is officially notifying the Police Commission that
Glen Rock Borough is planning to withdraw from the Southern Regional
Police Department as a full-time member in 2011, with the possibility of
purchasing services to commence on the date of withdrawal.
Chairman Richard Buchanan discussed the
percentage of patrol time for the three boroughs.
The time was calculated from October of 2008 through April of
2009. Shrewsbury’s time was
47.2%, New Freedom’s time was 32.1% and Glen Rock’s time was 20.7%.
Shrewsbury’s time increased 3.29%, New Freedom’s time decreased
3.69% and Glen Rock’s time increased .40% from October 2007 through
April 2008.
Chairman Richard Buchanan received two letters from
the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union
regarding contract negotiations.
This will be discussed at the end of the meeting during an
executive session.
POLICE CHIEF’S REPORT:
Chief James Childs pointed out that
when looking at the monthly police report that the time for each
jurisdiction is tracked to the very minute.
He also explained that when someone comes in to be fingerprinted
for employment that the time is charged to the borough where either the
person lives or is going to work.
If they live and work outside the jurisdiction of the police
department they are charged $15.00.
Chief James Childs reviewed April’s
York County Drug Task Force Report.
There were a total of 2 females and 5 males that were arrested.
$1,270.00 in Marijuana was seized.
Chief Childs announced that Officer
Teague participated in an 80 hour course for police motorcycle operator.
The class was sponsored by Northwestern University, Center for
Public Safety and hosted by Harley Davidson.
Officer Teague was awarded the Scott R. Rothermel Award for the
most improved student.
Commissioner Edward Molinsky made a motion for the Southern Police
Commission to congratulate Officer Teague on his successful completion
of the class. John LaMartina
seconded that motion, motion carried.
Chief Childs reported that the pick-up
truck will be here in mid-June.
A light bar worth $8,000.00 is being donated by Code 3.
They want to use the truck for their display at the Pennsylvania
Chiefs of Police Conference.
The truck will be lettered in time for the conference.
Chief Childs reported that New World’s
software is still being tested by five of the participating departments.
York County has spent $886,000.00 for this software and New World
is asking for another $500,000.00 for the service contract.
New World is saying that York County is under obligation for
$2,500,000.00 for the entire contract.
Chief Childs is looking for funding to upgrade Alert.
The portable radios are scheduled to be reprogrammed on Friday,
May 8th. We are
still experiencing problems with the computers in the cars.
Chief Childs reported that the call box on the side
of the building is in service and the sign is ordered.
Commissioner Edward Molinsky suggested that a sign be put in the
lobby of the borough office to let people know that the call box is
located at the side of the building.
Chief Childs will compose a letter to
accept bids on the Expedition and other items.
Commissioner Jeff Joy suggested that the items be placed on
Craig’s List and Ebay.
During the month of March 2009 Officers
responded to 110 calls in Shrewsbury, 86 calls in New Freedom, 24 calls
at the Southern York County School District, 52 calls in Glen Rock, 5
calls in Railroad and 4 calls outside our jurisdiction.
During the month of March 457.04 hours
were spent in Shrewsbury, 324.59 were spent in New Freedom, 50.39 were
spent in the school district, 233.55 hours were spent in Glen Rock,
18.13 hours were spent in Railroad and 5.59 hours were spent outside our
jurisdiction.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
No committee reports.
FINANCE AND BUDGET
Chairman Richard Buchanan reported that advertising is
high because of the purchase of “No Parking” signs.
Vehicle fuel is 44.5% of the budgeted amount.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
Because of the changes in the
international building codes the proposed improvements to the window
must be approved by a certified engineer.
Chairman Richard Buchanan is taking care of having the proposed
improvements approved.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Solicitor Patterson had nothing to report.
OLD BUSINESS
Commissioner John Peters reported that
he spoke with the member of the Glen Rock council that commented about
Glen Rock not using the Southern Regional Police Department’s services
and that some officers will be laid off.
The council member apologized and said that they did not mean any
harm by their comment and asked that the police department continue to
do their job.
Commissioner John Peters also requested
that Chief Childs attend a meeting of the Friends of Glen Rock Library
which is held sometime in November.
Chief Childs will attend that meeting.
Chairman Richard Buchanan did
not send a letter to the school district regarding the D.A.R.E. Grant.
He decided not to send the letter because the school district
already completed their yearly budget.
NEW BUSINESS
Chief Dugan from Fairview Township is gathering
information from each department in case there is an outbreak of the
swine flu. This information
consists of members of each police department from York County and their
dependents. In case of a
breakout there will be PODS placed at each high school throughout York
County and the shots for the flu will be given there.
Administrative Assistant Patricia
Miller attended a meeting on April 16th for the
Intergovernmental Insurance Cooperative.
The insurance cooperative is in the process of gathering
information for plan document exclusions.
They suggested that a person who elects to have gastric bypass
surgery should pay a $2,000.00 deductible.
This would hopefully encourage that individual to follow the
guidelines after surgery.
They also want to add an exclusion that anyone that is required to get
dialysis must apply for Medicare.
Medicare does cover the cost of dialysis and this would keep the
health insurance costs down.
Chief Childs reported that Tom Boger
from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Union has passed away.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
An executive session to discuss the letter from the
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union
began at 8:20 p.m. and ended at 8:47 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner
Edward Molinsky, seconded by Commissioner John LaMartina to adjourn at
8:47 p.m., motion carried.
Respectfully submitted and recorded by
Patricia Ann Miller
Administrative Assistant
