During their work session Monday night, Quakertown council discussed hiring procedures to fill a current and future vacancy in the Quakertown Police Department. Council member Michael Johnson noted that there has been a recent officer retirement with another projected in the coming months.

            Council Vice President James Roberts and member Dave Wilsey were not in attendance for Monday night's session. Borough Manager Scott McElree was also absent, with Assistant Manager Julie Bender sitting in.

            Council President Donald Rosenberger asked about the possibility of lateral hiring in addition to the existing practice of hiring recent academy graduates.

            "Are we able to hire officers from other departments who might be interested in coming to Quakertown?" Rosenberger asked.

            Borough Solicitor Peter Nelson advised council to establish a separate, formal recruitment and hiring process for lateral hires. According to Nelson, that process would include testing or an evaluation through an interview and would follow all fair hiring practices.

            "We need some sort of procedure that we follow every time that allows us to assess each candidate's merit," Nelson said.

            In addition to exploring lateral hires, council will vote during their regular council meeting on February 1 to advertise inclusion in the Police Chiefs Association of Bucks County's annual consortium testing on March 18. Consortium testing allows candidates to undergo one assessment and pay one application fee to apply for positions in participating departments.

            Other items that will be voted on during the regular council meeting on February 1 include a resolution to establish the 2023 contribution to the police and non-uniform pension plans.

            Council will formally approve requests from Quakertown Alive! to hold their annual Arts Alive Festival in May, Upper Bucks BrewFest in August, Autumn Alive in October and holiday tree lighting on December 1.

            Among two requests to use the Univest Performance Center will be a request from Richlandtown Mayor Wayne Codner to hold a food drive event and concert on June 3.

            Codner was in attendance Monday night to explain that he hopes the non-partisan event, called Come Together, will be a chance for neighbors from all backgrounds to gather. Codner added that, while he will invite elected officials from the area, there will be no political messaging.

            "I saw division in our community," Codner said to council Monday night. "I want to lean the scales in the other direction."

            Admission to the event will be two non-perishable food items to be collected for a local food pantry.