Carmichaels hires part-time officer
CARMICHAELS – Carmichaels Borough Council agreed Tuesday to beef up its police department a little by voting to hire a part-time officer.
Council voted to hire Craig Miller, now chief of Cumberland Township Police Department and a former borough police officer, to work several nights a week at $12 an hour.
“It will be great to have him,” said Chief Mike Gyurke, who is now the sole member of the department. Miller knows the community well and “has done just about everything you can possibly do in police work,” he said.
Council discussed hiring another police officer on and off for about a year, said councilman Mike Dohanich, who introduced the motion to hire Miller. The borough also now has Act 13 impact fee money to help with the cost, he said.
Miller was an officer with borough from 2005 to 2007. He knew the borough police department needed assistance and wanted to help, Dohanich said. “He’ll be a great asset.”
Miller also has a police dog, but Dohanich said the borough will have to see whether the dog can be used in the borough or whether it can only be used by Miller on his job with the township.
Last spring, council advertised for a part-time officer, but then put the hiring on hold as it began discussions with Cumberland Township on an agreement for Cumberland Township police to help patrol the borough.
Council later determined an agreement with the township would be too expensive.
In other business, Dohanich reported council held a workshop meeting to discuss what should be done in regard to parking in the business district. Parking meters in the downtown area were removed several months ago.
Council addressed problems caused by people who park in the business district around the clock and take parking spaces that could be used by those who want to patronize local stores and restaurants.
They also considered the need for parking for people who live in apartments in the vicinity of the business district and now must park on the street.
Council discussed limiting parking in the business district to two hours, but also recognized the borough would then have to hire someone to enforce that restriction.
Dohanich said council members who attended the workshop discussed several ideas though they are not ready to commit to one plan.
“We’re not at the point to say what the plans are, we’re not 100 percent sure,” he said. Dohanich said before a plan is considered, there will be opportunity for public input.
Borough secretary Brandi Streit said she contacted several firms about completing an audit of borough accounts but has not yet received any proposals.
Asked by a resident whether the borough could hire a auditor when it still has elected auditors, council President Charles Walker said council would have to investigate.
By hiring an auditor, council does not intend to take the jobs of the elected auditors, Dohanich said. Council only wants “transparency” and a “more in depth” accounting of borough funds, Dohanich said.
“We just want to make sure everything is up to par,” Walker said.