No more Clarkie??
The West Marlborough Township supervisors are proposing eliminating local police coverage from the township budget in 2016. The move would save $35,000 per year.
Since 2008 West Marlborough has contracted with neighboring East Marlborough to have its police officer (now chief) Robert Clarke patrol West Marlborough for 40 hours per month. The original goal was to ease parking problems at the Whip tavern in Springdell and cut down on speeding.
At their December board meeting, the West Marlborough supervisors said although they have been pleased with Clarkie's service, the move was a matter of fiscal priorities.
"This indicates no level of dissatisfaction," said Supervisor Bill Wylie. "We've had a very, very good relationship."
He said although the township's income is predictable, its expenses are not, especially when zoning hearings require the township to pay for engineers and attorneys. He said the fee that the applicant pays does not cover the township's expenses.
The supervisors (Wylie, Jake Chalfin and Hugh Lofting Sr.) said they welcome township residents' input into the decision (and I understand they have received some already). The budget will be posted on the bulletin board outside the township building in Doe Run and will be voted on at a Dec. 29 meeting.
Pennsylvania State Police at the Avondale barracks would still patrol the township if the contract with East Marlborough were ended.
Perhaps, now they can eliminate the temporary earned income tax that they said they would address at a later date.
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