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Myerstown Borough Council chair Park Haverstick II announced Tuesday, May 13, that the Lebanon County Regional Police Commission has agreed to meet with representatives of council to discuss possible coverage of the borough.
Since the Myerstown Police Department dissolved in 2013, the borough has received coverage from the state police. However, some residents have complained that state police are slow to respond and do not adequately address safety concerns.
In addition, residents report state police rarely issue nuisance citations (not being familiar with Myerstown’s ordinances), which means excessive noise often goes unchecked.
Haverstick explained that since 2021, when the borough raised taxes from 2.5 mills to 3.42 mills to raise funds to get police coverage, he has reached out to all adjoining municipalities, none of which were ultimately interested.
However, the Regional County Police Department Commission recently sent a letter to Haverstick conveying that it will consider serving the borough, with discussions to begin in June.
The regional department, which formed this year when the departments of North Lebanon and North Cornwall townships merged, has been considered by Myerstown since its creation. However, the governing commission initially told the borough it needed time to see how the new department operates.
Haverstick explains police funds
In response to a resident question about why the borough only put $135,000 into the police fund last year, instead of the $160,000 that makes up the .92 mills, Haverstick explained that the borough has consistently put more than budgeted into the fund: $200,000 in 2021, $180,000 in 2022, and $180,000 in 2023.
With the $135,000 put in the fund in 2024, he said, the fund totals around $695,000, out of the $970,000 in general reserves.
Less was put into the fund last year in order to make up for a budget shortfall of $45,000, he said, but the increased millage over four years would have added up to around $640,000 — over $50,000 less than what is in the fund.
With around $270,000 other funds in general reserve, Haverstick said more could be designated for police coverage if needed.
In response to further questions about available grants, Haverstick said the costs to start up a new police department are too high to consider, and that most available grants are for regionalized departments.
In other news, council:
- Following an executive session, approved an extension for the owner of 113 E. Main Ave. to complete Phase 1 of construction to allow time for legal counsel to prepare documentation for an appeal hearing, with Ronald Ream abstaining.
- Unanimously approved a lease from the Myerstown Vitality Partnership to hold a Farmers Market in the parking lot for the community center.
- Unanimously approved a request from Myerstown Mennonite Church to use the recreation area for a Bible School June 8-12.
- Unanimously appointed Dana Reich as alternate to the Zoning Hearing Board.
- Unanimously approved sale of a borough vehicle through MuniciBid.
- Unanimously approved support of a Myerstown Water Authority grant application for system modernization.
- Unanimously approved a request from Mission Church to park a vehicle in the community center rear parking area.
- Approved quotes for seal coating a striping the pool parking lot.
- Heard a presentation from a representative of Lebanon Transit concerning the possible expansion of the Fixed Route bus service into Myerstown.
- Unanimously approved minutes and reports.
Myerstown Borough Council meets the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.
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