The decision on the termination hearing for the East Greenville police chief will be delivered next week, later than initially announced, according to Mayor Keith Gerhart. He could not provide a specific date for the release in a Wednesday text message to the Town and County newspaper.

            Following Monday's council meeting, Gerhart said that the hearing officer in the proceeding for Chief Andrew Skelton has informed borough officials of her intention to issue a decision. According to borough Solicitor Zachary Siverstein, Melissa Fiala of Rudolph Clarke LLC, originally informed his law firm that she would likely be prepared to submit her written report by this Friday. Fiala is under no deadline to complete her work, according to Siverstein. The hearing concluded in February.

            Municipal officials will decide whether or not to appeal the decision after its release, according to the mayor. He said after the meeting that the issue has not been discussed.

            "We'll have to play it by ear," Gerhart said.

            Board President Angie Fegely told the audience that the municipality has spent approximately $70,000 on the hearing to date. After the meeting, Gerhart said that the total exceeded his expectations.

            According to the mayor, municipal officials asked for, and received, a $20,000 reduction in legal fees from Clark Hill, a Philadelphia law firm which employs Joseph Rudolf – a labor and employment lawyer hired by council to consult on police issues.  "We did it to cut costs," Gerhart said. "It's that simple."

            Municipal officials would release all of its expenses to the public if the hearing officer rules in favor of the borough, according to the mayor. He claimed that if the officer issued a ruling favorable to Skelton, those figures would remain "closed."

            Once the situation with its current chief is resolved, the Borough of East Greenville Police Department would operate with two full-time and two part-time officers, according to Gerhart.  Prompted by a line of questioning by a resident about the future of the borough's police department, the mayor presented those details during the meeting.

            The mayor explained after the meeting that if the ruling allows Skelton to return to work, the department will maintain its current staff. However, if the ruling favors the borough, another full-time officer will be hired.

            Maintaining a four-man department would allow the borough to maximize local coverage while keeping the service affordable according to Gerhart. He said council considered that scenario during the 2019 budget deliberations.