Shaler Township Commissioners unanimously approved the promotion of two police officers and the conditional hiring of two others at the May 9 meeting.
Officers Dennis Gapsky and Joseph Robinson were promoted to the rank of sergeant in front of a standing-room-only audience.
“We’re very proud of both officers,” township manager Christopher Lovato said. “They have dedicated their careers to Shaler Township and we look forward to them continuing to grow in the township.”
Commissioners made conditional offers of employment as police officers to Branden Pilardi and Dominic Palombo. The hirings are subject to conditions including successfully completing prescribed training under Act 120 and remaining certified as a police officer; successfully passing all prescribed physical and psychological medical examinations and successfully completing a one-year probationary period, among other requirements.
The board of commissioners also recognized five members of the Shaler Township Volunteer Fire Department who have each put in 50 or more years of service. They include Charles Perry and David Potts, both of whom have served for 57 years, James Templin with 53 years, George Missy with 52 and Conrad Wagner with 50.
Other business
The commissioners also unanimously passed an ordinance prohibiting feeding deer in the township. After concluding that deer were becoming a nuisance, the commissioners introduced the ordinance prohibiting feeding deer at the April meeting.
“We’ve had so many complaints that we’re trying to do our part to try to control it,” Shaler Ward 1 Commissioner Frank Iozzo said last month. “It becomes a nuisance and destruction of property, the deer waste on people’s property, tearing up flowers and people’s lawns, tics are another thing. They don’t need fed, believe me.”
The commissioners had invited the public to comment on the issue at the May 9 meeting before they voted. They had urged the public to support the ordinance prohibiting Shaler residents from feeding deer and no one spoke against it.
