East Greenville Council voted unanimously Monday to reinstate its civil service commission. The move will allow the borough to hire additional full-time officers.

            Any municipality with three full-time officers is required to form the commission, which oversees all aspects of hiring, disciplining and removing officers. The borough's current full-time officers, Sgt. Joshua Halteman and Off. Francis Bailey, will not be impacted by the commission, according to Solicitor Michael Peters.

            Municipal officials are investigating the possibility of promoting two part-time members of the Borough of East Greenville Police Department, according to Mayor Stephen Wescott. He said one month ago that they are researching if the borough budget has the capability to add two full-time officers.

            On Monday, Wescott declined to offer specific financial details in response to a series of questions from a resident of East Sixth Street. Paul Savarese asked why the borough needs additional full-time officers.

            "I want more coverage," the mayor said. "I'm not going to talk about money, and put my foot in my mouth. I just want a little more coverage."

            More than one member of council expressed agreement with Wescott. John Dingler told Savarese that a lot of their constituents want more police coverage.

            Last month, the mayor provided no timetable to complete the potential promotions. Following the previous meeting, Wescott targeted Jan. 1, 2023, as a possible target date.

            During the most recent meeting, Savarese asked about the affordability of adding two new full-time officers. Council President Angie Fegely told him the members have begun working on the details of next year's budget.

            "We spent a lot of money on starting the police department," Savarese said. "Some of that was mine."

            According to Fegely, the cost of the borough's police department provides a savings to the borough, compared to what it had been paying as a member of the Upper Perk Police District. She also disputed a claim by Savarese that the municipal police department had gone through "nearly a half dozen vehicles" in a short period of time.

            Member Alison Palmer did not attend the meeting. Council held an executive session immediately prior to the meeting, according to Peters. He said it discussed legal matters.

            In April, the Borough of East Greenville Police Department responded to 106 total incidents. They included 31 for traffic, nine assists, seven for public service, six parking incidents, four disorderlies, and three each for animals, thefts and accidents. The document, prepared by Chief Randy Morris and posted on a bulletin board outside the meeting room, includes 40 incidents identified as "other."