Following a year and a half of negotiations, Pennsburg officials recently ratified a new contract with the Upper Perk Police Department officers. On, Nov. 20, borough council members and the Upper Perk Police Officers Association officially approved a five-year agreement.

           The deal - which expires Dec. 31, 2022 - will allow the municipality to maintain its five-person department and mitigate future budget problems, according to council President Kris Kirkwood.

            "We're very happy with the contract," said Officer Matt Boaman, chairman of the police bargaining unit. "It's going to be good for our guys, and it will keep the department affordable for years to come."

            Boaman said the agreement represents a long-term investment by the borough in the department. He thanked Kirkwood and Mayor Vicki Lightcap, the borough's negotiators, for their efforts and the citizens of Pennsburg. "We've received nothing but support from them over the last 18 months."

            According to Boaman, the officers agreed to forgo a raise for all of 2018 and the first half of 2019. Kirkwood estimated those savings as approximately $50,000. The council president said the members' decision to suspend their longevity, holiday and educational incentives next year would save the borough approximately $25,000.

            "We appreciate the concessions," Kirkwood said.

            The contract includes Cpl. Jamie Lavin, who is currently on loan to the Montgomery County Detectives Unit, according to Boaman.  Kirkwood was not sure if Lavin will be returning to the borough. However, the council president said the county will cover between $30,000 and $40,000 of Lavin's salary in 2019.

            "As far as I know, the loan program will continue into next year," Kirkwood said.

            Negotiations started in late spring of 2017, according to Boaman. He said the sides had a framework of an agreement in place by the end of the year that would have maintained the eight-man department. Based on information provided by sources outside Pennsburg, the members had reason to believe no positions would be eliminated, the officer said.

            In early January, East Greenville Borough Council delayed a motion to disband its police department and approve an interim contract agreement with Pennsburg to accept police service.

            A source familiar with the situation claimed that East Greenville officials had a contract services agreement ready with the neighboring municipality pending the disbanding of the Borough of East Greenville Police Department.  "But that fell through," the person, who requested anonymity, wrote in an email message

            Three weeks later, Pennsburg officials voted to lay off two officers and unanimously ratified an early retirement offer to Chief Michael Devlin.

            According to Boaman, the confluence of events forced the negotiations "to the back burner" so the municipal officials could figure out its finances. He said the bargaining unit's focus became helping to ensure the survival of the department.

            "We're all very relieved and very pleased with the outcome," Boaman said. "I'm pleased with how the borough is positioned moving forward."

            Completion of the contract allowed municipal officials to begin negotiations with acting Chief Joe Adam, Jr., according to Kirkwood. He said Adam - the association's secretary - wanted to wait until the officers' situation was resolved before negotiating a new deal.

            "We were told that (Adam's) situation would be resolved in the near future," Boaman said.