A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Sadsbury Township was conducted on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 commencing at 11:00 a.m. Chairman, David Reynolds called the meeting to order. Present was Supervisor John Moore. Mr. Taylor could not be reached by telephone this morning. Township Solicitor, Mr. O’Keefe attended by telephone. Chief Hawley and Treasurer, Tammy Russell were also in attendance.
A moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to adopt Resolution 2020-05, Declaration of Local State of Disaster Emergency. This Declaration will be in effect until further affirmative action is taken by the Board of Supervisors. With there being no questions, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to adopt Resolution 2020-06, authorizing the Sadsbury Township Board of Supervisors to take certain action during the existing disaster emergency. This resolution, in essence, makes certain the Township is kept running during this disaster emergency. With there being no questions, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to adopt Resolution 2020-07, a Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of Sadsbury Township to enter into a cooperative police mutual aid agreement. With there being no questions, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Chief Hawley stated this resolution is a good start, but will need some minor tweaking.
Mr. O’Keefe relayed to the Board that they will need to withdraw from the agreement when they so choose, but will need to pass another resolution.
Chief Hawley would like to have a draft of written notation that Christine Hopkins, the cleaning person, is an essential employee. She comes in and sanitizes twice a week, mainly now for the police department.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to note that Christine Hopkins is an essential employee to keep the Township offices sanitized. With there being no questions, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
When asked by the Board how the picture ID’s are coming along, Chief Hawley stated that some are done and some not done due to where we are now.
Chief Hawley stated he met with Sergeant Troutman from Downingtown with the Western Regional Swat Team. To have the team available to the Township, it would be a yearly fee of $2,500.00. To send an officer to train, they would go to school for a five-day period. Chief Hawley would recommend that the Board would get this taken care of with a check for $2,500.00 to cover the Township for 1 year. Chief Hawley’s choice for the school would be Officer Matt Diemedio.
Ms. Russell stated that Officer Diemedio has over the hours a part-time officer should have in a pay period, almost as many hours as a full-time officer. Chief Hawley stated he is filling in shifts for officers on vacation. Mr. Moore suggests trading a training day for a working day.
Chief Hawley stated he is hopeful the Body Cams will be obtained through a grant.
Chief Hawley stated there is a lot of study from ballistics and firearm experts that the guns we have now are not suitable. We should be going to a 9MM. they have faster rounds and lighter in weight. The upgrading will cost less than $2,500.00 including ammo.
Ms. Russell stated that these items are not in the budget, and we really don’t want to reopen the budget. We are only in the first quarter.
Chief Hawley stated this item is for officer and public safety. If the Body Cam grant is not approved, they can be purchased at a later date.
Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to allow Chief Hawley to upgrade the police weapons and new ammunition not to exceed $2,500.00. with there being no questions, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed.
Mr. Reynolds stated the SWAT Team will be brought up at the next Board of Supervisors Meeting.
Ms. Russell is set up for working at home and Linda Shank will come into the officer periodically to check e-mails and the box out front.
With there being no further business, Mr. Reynolds made a motion, seconded by Mr. Moore, to adjourn the meeting. With there being no questions, the Board voting “aye”, the motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully Submitted,
Linda Shank
Secretary