East Greenville is leaving the Upper Perk Police Commission. On Tuesday, borough council voted unanimously to end the agreement that establishes the Upper Perk Police District.

                The resolution, introduced by council Vice President Tracey Hunsinger, takes effect at 12:01 a.m. March 6, 2017, according to information provided by municipal officials.

                "We regret to announce that we will serve notice to the Borough of Pennsburg that we have voted to terminate the contract that establishes" the commission, said Hunsinger, reading from a prepared statement. "Unfortunately, our partnership has deteriorated to the extent that it is irretrievably broken."

                East Greenville's elected officials cast the vote around 9:50 p.m. Tuesday, following an executive session. Council member Lee Steinert did not cast a vote.  He attended the majority of the public meeting, but left during the hour-long private session.

                Following the vote to leave the commission, Ryan Sloyer – East Greenville's mayor – said municipal officials would not comment further on the situation.

                Two years ago, amid budget negotiations between members of the police commission, Sloyer proposed that East Greenville sever its contract with Pennsburg and start its own three-person police department, according to an article in the Dec. 3, 2014 Town and Country. At that time, the mayor estimated his plan would save the borough between $120,000 and $150,000 annually.

                Four months later, Sloyer denied that East Greenville officials were engaged in an active campaign to leave the police commission. He rejected rumors of a proposed split that had been circulating on an anonymous social media page, according to an article in the March 25, 2015 edition of the newspaper.

                "We need to work towards affordability with the Upper Perk Police to remain sustainable for the future," Sloyer wrote on his own Facebook page, according to the article.

                Tensions ran high during police commission meetings over the past few months, with members from both communities sparring over issues of transparency and whether or not commission Solicitor Phil Gazan has shown special bias towards East Greenville.

                But according to Hunsinger, East Greenville has not been treated as an equal partner in recent months.

                "We reached out to the Borough of Pennsburg in May, but to no avail," she said, reading the statement Tuesday night. "The police commission cannot continue to operate in this manner. Therefore, we believe it is in the best interest of both municipalities to terminate the agreement."

                Problems among commission members this year began publicly brewing in April, when Pennsburg's members attempted, unsuccessfully, to fire Gazan.

                Prior to that vote, Kirkwood, the commission's vice chair accused the solicitor of failing to properly share information with officials from Pennsburg; billing the commission for issues related to an anonymous police donation last year for five months after the issue was concluded; allowing insurance issues to drag on longer than necessary; failing to make sure insurance carriers adhered to their contractual obligations; billing Pennsburg officials for asking questions about billing issues; relying on Chief Michael Devlin to answer questions asked of him regarding to personnel matters and procedures; and representing Sloyer in a bankruptcy procedure.

                Gazan denied the final accusation during the meeting.

                Pennsburg officials accused the solicitor of overcharging the borough. According to Lightcap, borough officials budgeted $7,500 for commission legal fees in 2015, but spent $15,239. Debate over the solicitor's allegiance commenced during discussion of the monthly bills. Kirkwood objected to Gazan's submission of a $112.50 bill, then asked for an explanation.

                Following the April meeting, Sloyer decried the Pennsburg contingent's motion to remove Gazan, who has served as the commission's solicitor since 2004.

                "Mr. Gazan is not partisan," Sloyer said then. "He looks out for the best interest of the police department. He's the best solicitor this commission has ever had."

                In August, Pennsburg Borough Council voted to request Gazan's resignation from the commission in a letter and vowed the borough's three police commission representatives would refuse to approve any legal fees submitted by the solicitor.

                Later last month, East Greenville officials cancelled the police commission meeting after none of Pennsburg's representatives attended.             According to Kirkwood, all three regular members, and one alternate, were not able to make the meeting.

                Vicki Lightcap, the mayor of Pennsburg and a member of the police commission, said Wednesday morning that her municipality would do whatever it takes to continue providing police protection for the residents and their neighbors in the Upper Perkiomen Valley. Lightcap could not comment on how East Greenville's decision to withdraw from the commission will affect police coverage.

                Kris Kirkwood, the president of Pennsburg Borough Council, did not return multiple phone messages seeking comment.

                Jamie Lavin, a corporal with the Upper Perk Police District and president of the Upper Perk Police Officers Association, declined to comment on behalf of his organization.

                "Right now, it's about what the people want," Lavin said Wednesday. "We are interested in hearing their opinions."

                The officers' contract expires at the end of 2017, according to Lavin.