By Brian C. Rittmeyer

Published: Friday, November 30, 2012, 12:06 a.m.
Updated: Friday, November 30, 2012

Apollo Council doubled the size of the borough's police force by hiring two part-time officers Thursday.

Despite the hirings, the borough property tax is not expected to increase next year.

Council voted 3-1 to hire officers Jarred Kier of Plum, and Patrick Schmidt II of White Oak.

Councilman Darhl Goldinger voted against the hirings, saying he wanted to review their applications before voting. Councilmembers Amy Poydence and Pat Zelonka were absent.

Mayor Karen Kenzevich said she expects the new officers to start in January. Their pay will be $12 per hour.

Kenzevich said she will want to hire one more part-time officer in January.

More money for police is included in the borough's budget of nearly $523,000, which council preliminarily adopted Thursday.

Funding for police was increased by about 12 percent, from $69,100 to about $77,200.

Overall, the 2013 budget increases spending by about 1.4 percent.

Property taxes are unchanged, remaining at 10.9 mills.

If approved, it will be the 11th consecutive year with no tax increase, council President David Heffernan said.

Council will vote on the budget when it meets at 7 p.m. Dec. 13.

Vacancy filled

Council has returned to a full seven-member contingent with the appointment of a new member.

Denny Gabrielli, 42, of Woodward Avenue was chosen to replace Kenzevich as a councilman.

Kenzevich's resigned from council when she was appointed mayor in October. She replaced Rich Dixon, who had resigned.

Gabrielli, an Apollo native, was one of two applicants for the council seat.

Gabrielli said he has no prior elected experience. He said he sought the seat because he wants to “get the town back in the right direction.”

Gabrielli took his oath of office, administered by Kenzevich. Although he sat at the council table he did not vote pending the completion of required paperwork.

Brian C. Rittmeyer is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-226-4701 or brittmeyer@tribweb.com.

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