May 14, 2013 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – Carmichaels Borough Council put on hold plans to hire a new police officer Monday, announcing it was discussing a possible agreement to have Cumberland Township police help patrol the borough.

Council voted last month to accept applications for a part-time officer to assist police Chief Mike Gyurke.

Following a brief executive session Monday, council President Charles Walker announced council would take no action on the hiring until it researches the option of having township police assist in the borough.

“Once we determine which is more beneficial and feasible, we will go on from there,” he said.

The borough and the township already have had some “early” discussions regarding the matter, Gyurke said.

The two police departments now assist each other on incidents, Gyurke said. Because the township surrounds the borough, township police often drive through the borough.

When Gyurke is not available, incidents in the borough are now handled by state police. But when state police are unable to send a trooper, the township responds, Gyurke said.

Cumberland Township police are now able to assist Carmichaels police on incidents in the borough, but an agreement would have to be in place to allow them to police the borough legally, Walker said.

In other business, council agreed to review and update two ordinances.

One of the ordinances involves burning and was first adopted in 1977. The second is an ordinance adopted in 1984 dealing with the accumulation of garbage, burned structures and inoperable vehicles on a property.

The ordinances should be updated, Gyurke said, “so when we go to court, we have something substantial to present.”

Borough secretary Brandi Streit reported that after receiving a complaint, she hired someone to cut grass at a vacant house at the corner of Greene Street and Route 88.

Streit said she would place a lien on the property each time the borough has to cut the grass there. The property is in foreclosure, and Streit said she has been unable to find out which bank controls the property.

Council discussed complaints about cinders that were used in winter that are now still on the street. Maintenance worker Jim Petrone said he has been sweeping the streets but had a late start this year because of poor weather.

Council also discussed purchasing signs to remind people to pick up after their dogs.

Gyurke reported the drug take-back event held by the borough and township police at the borough building April 27 was a success and two boxes of unused or expired drugs were collected.

The drugs are collected to prevent them from being used illegally. The program is part of a national program run by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Streit reported the Memorial Day parade will be held at 11:45 a.m. May 27. She also reported the Rices Landing Garden Club will begin decorating town square today and urged motorists to be aware of their activities.