East Greenville Council is considering a plan to add two full-time officers to its municipal police department. On Monday, council started the process of resuscitating its Civil Service Commission by voting unanimously to advertise an ordinance that would reinstate the commission, which would oversee the hiring process and promotion of full-time officers.

            According to Mayor Stephen Wescott, municipal officials are investigating the possibility of promoting two part-time members of the Borough of East Greenville Police Department. He said part of the research includes learning if the borough budget has the capability to carry the two full-time officers.

            "We're exploring the options," Wescott said after the meeting. "We're doing as much homework as possible."

            The mayor claimed that council initially discussed the possibility of promoting its two officers during its March 21 workshop meeting. However, meeting minutes approved Monday by council – and posted on the borough's website Tuesday – do not include any reference of the suggestion.

            Wescott said the borough's police department provides enough local coverage. However, he said, after the meeting, that the goal was to add "a little bit more."       Municipal officials provided no timetable to complete the potential promotions or vote to create the commission. After the meeting, the mayor said he was hoping the entire process could be complete as soon as possible. Wescott cited Jan. 1, 2023 as a possible target date.

            President Angie Fegely appointed Member Alison Palmer, chair of the borough's personnel committee, as the liaison between the future commission and council.    Eleven months ago, council voted to disband the commission. At the time, Joshua Halteman was the department's only full-time officer.

            Last year, Fegely described the commission as unnecessary, saying that municipal officials had no plans to hire a full-time officer. She added that the budget permitted only the hiring of part-time officers. Member Melissa Leinbach cast the lone opposing vote.

            Council held an executive session prior to Monday's meeting, according to Fegely. She explained that the members met privately from 6:30 to 6:55 p.m. to discuss litigation.

            In March, the municipal police department responded to 111 total incidents, including 38 for traffic, 13 public services, nine assists, four animal calls, three thefts, one accident, one warrant and one domestic incident, according to information collected by Chief Randy Morris and posted on a bulletin board outside the meeting room.