Township OKs new pact with police
The Amity Township supervisors have approved a new five-year contract with the township police.
The current contract expires Dec. 31.
Police salary increases will be 3.25% in the first, third and fifth years and 3% in the second
and fourth years.
Health insurance premiums will increase $5 per month every other year of the contract. Police currently pay $45 per paycheck for health insurance co-pays.
Township Manager Troy Bingaman said the new contract will also include a three-year deferred retirement option plan, or DROP program, which allows eligible workers to collect their annual pension benefits while continuing employment. The pension level is frozen at the level the employee enters the program.
There are 13-full time officers in Amity Township.
In other business at the Nov. 4 meeting, the supervisors heard a recommendation from Police Chief Jeffrey Smith to consider an animal control plan with Safety Net Sanctuary of Richmond Township.
The organization would charge the township $1,000 a year to accept domesticated animals, but would require the township to transport them to the sanctuary.
Bingaman said he was annoyed with a September invoice from the Animal Rescue League that billed the township $1,500 for accepting five kittens and three dogs. He said he is using social media to encourage residents to contact the township before taking any animals to the ARL.
The supervisors suggested Smith and Bingaman visit the sanctuary for more details before a final decision is made.
Bingaman said if the
ARL goes with a $1 percapita rate next year, it will still cost the township over $12,000.
In another matter, the supervisors approved a resolution to create an appeals board for violations of the International Property Maintenance Code. After a notice of violation, a resident would have 20 days to file an appeal, and the appeals board would have another 20 days to schedule a hearing.
Bingaman said the township is currently seeking residents to serve on the appeals board.