A motion to create a civil service commission in Pennsburg failed Tuesday night. Mayor Vicki Lightcap cast the tie-breaking vote defeating the measure during the monthly public meeting.  Lightcap last voted to snap a tie vote on council in 2014. 

            Members Diane Stevens, F. Robert Seville and Frederick Schutte, Jr. voted in favor of a measure to appoint three members to the commission which was created in May.

            President, Kristopher Kirkwood, Vice President, Bruce Lord and Michael R. Mensch voted against the motion.  Council member Cody Belmont did not attend the meeting.

            Stevens made a motion to fill the three-person panel that would be responsible for the hiring and oversee any disciplinary issues related to the newly formed Upper Perkiomen Police Department. She proposed appointing Charles Shagg, a former mayor, to a six-year term, Kathryn Kulp to a four-year term and Schutte to a two-year term.

            Prior to the vote, Stevens suggested that the commission should be filled immediately. Seville, a retired police officer, said he was concerned about protecting the rights of the department's officers.

            "What happens if something happens tomorrow?" Seville asked following the vote.

            Then council would call a special meeting to appoint commission members, according to Solicitor Chuck Garner.

            The solicitor added that municipal officials would likely have 30 days to prepare for any disciplinary proceedings against an officer.

            Prior to the vote, Lord and Mensch asked that time to recruit members be extended. After the meeting, Lord said he wanted to find out if borough officials could find more residents interested in serving.

            After the meeting, Schutte said Garner assured him that the board's decision not to make the appointment was not a safety issue.

            In related police news, the solicitor announced that Alderfer Auction Co. completed its scheduled inventory of the assets formerly utilized by the Upper Perk Police District, a regional department.  

            Garner advised the council to keep track of its plans to withdraw the Upper Perk Police Commission and make sure they are completed lawfully.