As promised, East Greenville Borough Council presented a proposal for police coverage in the municipality Tuesday.

        A newly created department, proposed by  Mayor Ryan Sloyer, would include a full-time police chief, one full-time officer and two to three part-time officers to cover the borough.

        During the public meeting, Sloyer claimed the department, which would include coverage by the Pennsylvania State Police, would save the municipality roughly $899,000 over the next four years.

        Reading from a prepared statement, the mayor claimed the savings would allow for "improved infrastructure and more."

        The new police department could be housed at the Colonial Village Clubhouse, according to Sloyer. He said the facility – which currently includes small offices, a kitchen, modern restroom and security cameras – won't require expensive construction.

        East Greenville's savings will allow the department to grow as needed, according to the mayor. When fully staffed, the department would provide between 75 and 80 percent of the borough's local police coverage, the letter states.

        The mayor suggested that council allow Robert McCluskie, Marita Thomson, and himself – the borough's three representatives on the Upper Perk Police Commission – to begin the process that would lead to hiring a chief. The chief would then help with developing the new police department. Sloyer also suggested that municipal officials begin work on an ordinance creating the East Greenville Police Department in the event that upcoming mediation to resolve the conflict between the boroughs fails.

        Early on in the meeting, council's acting President Tracey Hunsinger announced that she was stepping down as an alternate member of the Police Commission in order to take part, along with Sloyer, in the mediation effort with Pennsburg officials.  The move will insure that a quorum of Police Commission members will not be present at the mediation meetings.  No new alternate was named to replace Hunsinger.

        Sloyer reiterated council's justification for voting Sept. 6 to dissolve the Upper Perk Police District. His letter stated that the municipality can't afford the growing costs of funding the police department. Borough officials allocated $577,000 to the department in 2015 and $611,000 in 2016. The joint police budget calls for a $647,000 contribution from East Greenville in 2017.

        The operating cost of the police department accounts for roughly 20 percent of the borough's operating expenses, according to Sloyer.

        "East Greenville cannot afford to continue with these increases each year," he said during the meeting at the Upper Perkiomen Middle School.

        Sloyer also claimed that Pennsburg has refused to work with East Greenville as a business partner and equal member of the Upper Perk Police Commission.

        "We asked Pennsburg to honor an agreement of not hiring a (replacement) for a retired officer to ease the financial burden on the taxpayers," the mayor said. "They refused."

        Several residents continued to express their displeasure regarding council's decision to leave the department. Ed Buchinski, a business owner in East Greenville and an ardent supporter of the Upper Perk Police, called the decision an abomination. He asked Sloyer to resign. Buchinski also asked the audience to take a vote of no confidence on the council.

        "Your numbers are a farce," Buchinski said during the meeting. "You have put the safety and welfare of our residents at risk."