The potential financial implications of East Greenville's decision to leave the Upper Perk Police Commission might impact the 2017 police budget.

        Contractual agreements between the commission, the Upper Perk Police District's officers and Chief Michael Devlin have complicated the issue. 

        Robert McCluskie, a member of East Greenville Borough Council and chair of the commission, expressed a preference that the six-person panel approve a binding budget to fund the Upper Perk Police District through March 6, the day borough officials have voted to withdraw from the commission.

        "I don't think East Greenville will be able to approve a budget for the entire year," said Ryan Sloyer, the borough's mayor and a commission member.

        McCluskie also suggested that council then formulate a budget from March 7 through the end of 2017 in case planned mediation between East Greenville and Pennsburg succeeds and the municipality reverses its decision to withdraw from the commission.

        Kris Kirkwood, a member of Pennsburg Borough Council and co-chair of the commission, described McCluskie's proposal as unallowable. "The [police] contract is supposed to be annual," Kirkwood said during the meeting, held at the East Greenville Fire Company.

        Though the six-person commission split a vote to preliminarily approve the police budget for 2017, they voted unanimously to release it to both municipal councils for deliberation.

        After the meeting, McCluskie said he felt confident East Greenville officials would approve a budget for January, February and the first week of March.  "Anything that would cover the whole year becomes a bit dicier," he said.

        Robert Seville, a commission member from Pennsburg and a retired police officer from the department, stated that both communities were obligated to fulfill their contracts with the department's police officers and Devlin. The officers' contract runs through the end of 2017; Devlin's contract expires on Dec. 31, 2018.

        However, commission Solicitor Phil Gazan, in response to a question from an audience member, declined to say whether or not East Greenville would be obligated to honor the contract if, and when, it leaves the commission.

        "I am not prepared to give an opinion on that tonight," Gazan said during the meeting. "The question was not given to me in advance. It's a sophisticated question. I will take it under advisement."

        After the meeting, Kirkwood and McCluskie both said that a judge may ultimately decide whether or not East Greenville would be responsible to pay the officers and the chief if the municipality leaves the commission. 

        Matt Hovey, an attorney representing Pennsburg at the meeting, called litigation a last resort.  "I'm hopeful for the mediation," Kirkwood said.

        In other news, Devlin reported that his department responded to 51 crimes in both municipalities, including 27 in East Greenville. They include nine incidents of vandalism/criminal mischief, eight incidents of theft/motor vehicle theft, six incidents of assault/harassment/stalking and six trespassing complaints, five narcotic and drug violations and three incidents each of public drunkenness/disorderly conduct and burglary/attempted burglary.