Sewickley to continue police services for Glen Osborne

Sewickley and Glen Osborne borough officials are in talks to renew a police contract.

The current five-year deal expires at the end of the year.

Sewickley officers have patrolled Glen Osborne streets for at least eight years.

Police respond to emergency calls and do safety patrols around the Osborne Elementary School, among other duties to help protect the small town’s 500-plus residents.

“They’ve been perfect for our community,” Glen Osborne council President Thomas Huddleston said. “They’ve been great neighbors.”

Huddleston said there’s a preliminary proposal for three years with two optional years. New financial terms have not been disclosed.

The current contract has Glen Osborne paying about $119,000 this year for police services.

Sewickley council discussed the contract at the Sept. 8 meeting.

Mayor Brian Jeffe said one of the new requests was to have an increased police presence at the school.

“They are a good customer for us, and we have to make sure we’re there on average three days a week,” he said. “It needs to become part of our culture, in the mornings and afternoons.”

No council members objected to the request. It’s unclear how much the contract would cost Glen Osborne.

Sewickley officials are expected to approve it next month.

Borough Solicitor Richard Tucker said it will be done via ordinance due to the intergovernmental agreement.

Huddleston said he expects his colleagues to approve the new contract in either October or November.

In other matters

Council talked about adding a discussion meeting to its schedule so members have a better understanding on what they’re are voting on prior to its regular monthly session.

Councilwoman Julie Barnes said some topics require lengthy examination and careful consideration instead of being cramming lot of information into one night.

It may reduce time spent at voting meetings as well. The Sept. 8 agenda had 27 items, not including public comment, and went just under three-and-a-half hours.

At least one person that wanted to speak about a subject left the Zoom session prior to being called upon.

Councilwoman Cynthia Mullens recommended discussion meetings take place per quarter instead of per month.

No vote was taken to add discussion meetings to council’s schedule.

Council approved having a glass recycling event at Riverfront Park at a cost of $750 to $1,100.

A date and time was not set.