Officials prepare for new police department   

        With less than a month remaining until East Greenville's announced dissolution of the Upper Perk Police Commission, borough officials continue to move forward with plans to start an independent police department.

        On Monday, Borough Council approved a consultant agreement with a Perkiomenville firm to help facilitate the creation of the East Greenville Borough Police Department. The officials also voted to hire a Hatfield Township company to appraise the equipment currently utilized by the Upper Perk Police District.

        Municipal officials announced that they will hold a special meeting May 8 to consider an ordinance that would establish the department.

        East Greenville plans to withdraw from the department on June 1. Municipal officials expect to have a police chief in place by that date, according to council President Tracey Hunsinger.

        Council member Ryan Pugh cast the lone vote opposing the motion to hire True North Investigative Services in Perkiomenville, which is owned by Andrew Skelton, a retired state police trooper.

        Skelton approached municipal officials about the opportunity to consult on the new department, according to Mayor Ryan Sloyer.

        "I think he can be an asset to help us get moving forward," Sloyer said.

        According to Hunsinger, Skelton will not be involved in the hiring of a new police chief. She said borough officials are speaking with representatives from the Pennsylvania Chiefs Association and Safe Cities Solutions, based in Perkasie, about assisting in that process.

        "If (Skelton) wants to be the police chief, he would have to go through the same process as everyone else," Sloyer said during the meeting.

        Pugh also voted against the motion to allow Alderfer Auction to appraise the police department's inventory, including the department's vehicles, weapons, ammunition, furniture, equipment, radios and additional gear.

        The ordinance that created the regional police department requires an appraisal before the equipment can be distributed, according to Solicitor Stephen Kramer.

        He said the company will take photos of the items, as well as provide reports with complete descriptions and values.

        The contract with Alderfer calls for compensation of $300 for the first hour to do the work by one person; $200 for each additional hour and $50 for each additional worker involved.

        On Tuesday, Pennsburg Borough Council passed a similar measure. The neighboring municipalities will share the cost of the appraisal, according to Pennsburg officials. Council included a cost cap of $1,200 in its motion.

                Regulations require that Police Chief Michael Devlin accompany the appraiser during his work, according to Pennsburg Council Member Robert Seville.