Upper Burrell looking into 3rd full-time police officer position
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Upper Burrell is putting out “feelers” for a third full-time officer in its police department, Chief Ken Pate said.
Township officials have said they are refocusing efforts to bolster their own force.
Upper Burrell currently has two full-time officers, including the chief. To add a third full-timer, Supervisors Chairman Ross G. Walker III said, the township is looking at going from a defined pension contribution plan for officers to a defined benefit plan.
The township is still working with the pension numbers from the state. Walker said he believes officers would still contribute to their benefits but it’s yet to be determined how and how much.
He said taxpayers would not pay more under the proposed new plan.
Pate said the township’s been crunching the numbers to make a third full-time officer work.
“We’re in a good place with it, so we’re moving forward with that and get that process probably this month, middle of this month, putting feelers out there and making it known we’re accepting applications for full-time (officers),” Pate said.
The township, twice in the past two years, tried to gauge interest from surrounding municipalities on the possibility of a regionalized police force. It got no interest except from officials in Washington Township, which wanted to absorb Upper Burrell’s force rather than regionalize. Upper Burrell was not interested in that plan.
Pate said regionalization is a “dead issue.”
“So we moved on, just like we said we would,” Pate said.
Greensburg Road update
Pate also provided an update on Greensburg Road, also known as Route 366. Residents of the 2200 block raised concerns this summer about speeding and traffic safety on the road.
A PennDOT study determined the speed limit in that area should be lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph. Those signs have not yet been posted. PennDOT recently erected a “No U-Turn” sign in the westbound lane, a decision aimed to prevent vehicles from stopping on 366, Pate said.
Walker said the township requested PennDOT to look into the feasibility of placing a “No U-Turn” sign there because, he said, the township had fielded complaints of people making U-turns, slowing traffic in the passing lane and almost causing crashes.
When PennDOT did its speed study, it also found that a “No U-Turn” sign should be placed there, Walker said.
Walker suggested people should access their homes by turning into a cross road, turning around and pulling out to head in the right direction.
Pate said police monitor the area “so that is a deterrent also.”
Budget available
The township’s proposed budget for 2025 is available for public inspection at the municipal building, 3735 Seventh St. Road.
The proposal holds the line on taxes but slightly increases the fire hydrant fee, which officials say would cost property owners who pay the fee only a few dollars. About 90% of property owners in the township pay the fee, Walker said.
Officials attribute the increase to adjusted rates from the Municipal Authority of New Kensington.
The proposed budget for 2025 is close to $1.24 million, which is and about $10,000 less than this year’s budget.
Supervisors are expected to vote on the budget during their meeting Dec. 4.