“Everyone has a one common goal and that is to see a successful police department.”

That was the thoughts on all Nesquehoning Borough Council members’ minds Wednesday during various discussions regarding police support in the borough.

Nesquehoning has been rebuilding its staff, finally having a full complement of full-time police officers.

Mutual aid

During the meeting, council rejected a request for a mutual aid agreement with Rush Township until Nesquehoning’s concerns are addressed and the agreement is tweaked.

Before the vote, Councilman Louie Paul said that he saw red flags with the terms of the initial agreement Rush sent.

Mayor Thomas Kattner, who is in charge of the police, said that he doesn’t want to risk the borough force in possible emergency situations based on the current wording of the proposed agreement.

Chief Michael Weaver spoke up, saying that he had some concerns, noting in the proposal that it would give Nesquehoning full powers in Rush Township for enforcing the law.

Council said there were liability concerns and said that the borough would voice its concerns with Rush Township to see if an adjusted mutual aid agreement with complete terms be drawn up.

Nesquehoning has mutual aid agreements in place with other Carbon County police departments to provide assistance during emergencies.

Snow parking

Council was questioned about why some cars that weren’t moved for weeks haven’t been towed after the last snowstorm.

Weaver said that the police are beginning to enforce parking ordinances, noting that during the last snowstorm, officers went around with a loud speaker to ask cars be moved before ticketing actually began.

He added that three vehicles have also been tagged and towed for not being moved for extended periods of time.

Weaver said that if a resident sees a vehicle parked in the same spot without being moved for an extended period of time to contact the department and it will be looked into.

Fifth officer

Nesquehoning council also authorized its civil service commission to reorganize and begin the process to solicit applications to prepare a hiring list for a fifth full-time police officer.

Councilman Louie Paul made the motion citing the need for an additional officer to offset overtime costs.

Council initially didn’t budget approximately $30,000, which would be used to help cover the cost for an additional officer.

Kattner said that right now, the current officers, while there is more than there was a year ago, are still working more hours than they should have to and are getting burned out in the process.

Equipment

Nesquehoning’s department is also getting five new rifles, as well as laptops for the patrol vehicles at a cost of $21,600.

Council, after discussing the matter, approved the motion for the purchases.

Before the vote, Weaver said that the department currently has one functional rifle with a second that works, but the scope is broken.

Councilwoman Abbie Guardiani said that with the borough having an elementary school within its limits, the police should be better equipped if a mass response was needed.

“I want to see our police get what they need ... and have the proper tools to protect the people of this town,” Paul said.

Commendation

Councilwoman Lois Kuba commended the police department, as well as the borough’s three volunteer fire companies for their dedication to the town and its residents.

“The gratitude we have for you guys going out is big,” she said. “There’s not a lot of people stepping up to the plate and we have people right here that do it and we have to appreciate them. We appreciate all of you for everything you do.

“Everybody has one common goal and that is to see a successful police department,” Kuba said.

Kattner also commended council for making the necessary moves to build the force to where it is now; as well as Weaver for his leadership.

“We have great cops on duty and they’re doing their job and they’re doing it the proper way,” Kattner said.