Cheswick approves police merger with Springdale Township

The proposed Allegheny Valley Regional Police Department took another step toward reality Thursday night.

Cheswick Council voted unanimously to approve a merger of police services with neighboring Springdale Township.

Soon, Springdale Township will take a similar vote that, if it passes, would make the merger happen.

The combined force could start as early as June 1, officials said.

The towns would form a board to oversee the department. The board would hire employees, set a budget, develop policies, decide on sundry items such as what color to paint police vehicles and create a logo.

About seven residents showed up at Thursday’s Cheswick meeting, and no one dissented.

Councilman Michael Girardi wasn’t surprised that no residents voiced opposition; he wrote a letter to borough residents and held three informal town hall meetings in the past week.

“I’m not surprised; we provided the residents with details,” Girardi said. “Once they heard what was taking place, it was a no-brainer.”

The merger process has taken about 15 months and included a study by the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

“This is way overdue,” council President Paul Jack said. “Municipalities have been trying to do something like this for 20 or 30 years. We got the DCED involved and benefited from their expertise.

“The people of Springdale Township are open-minded, and we are open-minded. Government should be trying to provide improved services at an efficient cost.”

Mayor opposes plan

Not everyone is on board with the merger.

Cheswick Mayor Daniel Carroll, in office for 13 years and a councilman for six previous years, isn’t happy about doing away with the borough’s police force after more than 100 years.

“I think this is very bad for the borough, I don’t like it at all,” Carroll said. “Police will have four times an area to patrol, and it will dilute coverage of the borough.”

In borough government, the mayor votes only to break a tie.

Representatives of both municipalities said the move would save money. Cheswick has $316,000 budgeted for police services this year and Springdale Township $356,000.

Officials said the new department would have about a $500,000 budget.

“It shouldn’t always be about money,” Carroll said. “There are things that should have been considered before their vote. But council has its own way of doing things.”

Once the police consolidation gets off the ground, Girardi said, council will seek an opinion from the DCED about merging its fire department with the Allegheny Valley Volunteer Fire Company, a recent union of the former Harmar and Springdale Township departments.