Council president claims members voted to start hiring process

            East Greenville's council president clarified concerns that his municipality withheld the name of a new police officer. Council has not hired an officer for the Borough of East Greenville Police Department, according to Douglas Criddle.

           Criddle said, after Monday's council meeting, that the members voted on Feb. 17 to start the hiring process. The new officer will be sworn in and introduced to the public at a future public meeting, according to Criddle.

            Two weeks earlier, the members approved an action item listed as a police item that stated "Consider part-time hire." Council did not discuss the item and quickly voted unanimously to approve it.

             After the Feb. 17 meeting, Mayor Stephen Wescott was asked to identify the name of a new officer. The mayor declined to provide it.

            Asked why not, the mayor said, "I have my reasons." Wescott did not comment further.

            Near the end of a civil service commission meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26, that lasted just five minutes, Member Wayne Shoop asked police chief Josh Halteman about the borough's "new officer."  Shoop also said he heard the officer was from Hereford and asked when he would be ready to hit the street.

           Halteman responded by saying the officer had a lot of experience, having worked previously for two area departments. However, Halteman declined to identify the officer after the meeting.

            The chief claimed that the responsibility to disclose that information fell to Westcott, not him. Halteman said he was aware of the mayor's earlier refusal to disclose the information, adding that he "did not want to step on the mayor's toes."

            On Monday, the chief claimed the conversation was about a candidate he had in mind to fill the vacant position, not someone the municipality hired.

            After the meeting, Westcott confirmed that he is running for reelection. He will have at least two rivals for the position. Lon Brinckman II and Steve Granger have both announced publically that they are seeking signatures to secure a spot on the Primary ballot.

            Brinckman, who served previously on council, also ran for mayor in 2021. He resigned from council in June of that year.

            Granger, the borough's elected constable, hopes to provide strong leadership, practical solutions, and a vision for a safer, more vibrant borough, according to a social media post. He describes himself as a dedicated public servant with a deep commitment to the community.

            Council appointed Wescott to his position in December 2020 following the resignation of Keith Gerhart. Wescott was elected to a four-year term in 2021.

            Council voted to promote a police officer, approving Noah Mascio as a sergeant. Mascio joined the department in August 2021 after graduating from the Montgomery County Community College's Municipal Police Academy.

             Members Angie Fegely and Melissa Leinbach did not attend Monday's 27-minute meeting. Council's next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 17, according to Criddle.

            In February, the Borough of East Greenville Police Department responded to 86 total incidents. That includes 16 for traffic, 15 public services and six assists, according to information accumulated by Halteman.

            It includes five incidents for parking, one animal call, one for a warrant and one fraud. The information, posted on a bulletin board at Borough Hall outside the meeting room, identifies 41 incidents as "other."