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North Londonderry Township supervisors hired two new police officers at their Monday, July 20, meeting.
In a non-related matter, they also highlighted upcoming discussion and potential future action for data center regulations for the township.
New hires
Patrolmen Jeremy L. Cassel and Zachary R. Hertzog took the oath of office before about 30 family members and other attendees during a ceremony held during the monthly session.
Chief Thomas R. Hentz said 25 resumes were received during the hiring process and 15 candidates appeared for the written test. The next step involved interviewing 10 of the 15, but some of those individuals had accepted other job offers first, Hentz said.
Instead, five were interviewed, with the original goal of hiring one officer. However, during this process, something changed.
“When we interviewed Zach and Jeremy, we thought if we don’t grab these both at the same time, we might lose out,” Hentz said. “We couldn’t tell you exactly what it was we were looking for, but we knew it when we saw it. And when these two interviewed, we knew it when we saw it. So instead of one, we asked the board, or said we’ll take two.”
After accepting the job offers, both spent the next six months studying at the Reading Police Academy, according to Hentz.
“They both finished with overall scores of over 94%, which shows how much effort they were putting into the academy. I know they were studying with each other at lunch,” Hentz said. “They started out kind of as strangers and became very good friends. So we are happy to have them on board.”
Hentz highlighted the expectations for their jobs.
“I just want you to know that those badges don’t represent just a piece of metal or a piece of tin. People here in the township are going to expect you on a daily basis to treat them with fairness, respect them, and make choices with integrity,” Hentz said. “You’re going to meet people on good days, you’re going to meet people on bad days, but the way you treat people will leave that lasting impact on them.”
Hentz encouraged the families to be the officers’ support network.
“They’re going to be working all kinds of crazy shifts,” he said. “They may not always be all on time. So to the families, give them the support they need.”
Hentz noted they’ve been working for about a week, adding that they will spend the next three months, through about mid-October, in field training.
“Then once the field training’s up sometime early to mid-October, they will then spread their wings and be out on their own. So we are excited to have them. We’re looking forward to great things with them. And they both bring things that we need,” Hentz said.
He said Cassel has an EMT background, which is needed on the force, and said there may be a future need for him to be a first-aid and EMS instructor. Hertzog practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu and is a black belt, meaning he will be an asset with state-required controlled tactics training, according to Hentz.
“So it’s great that these guys can jump in and help with the aspects of that. So, they’re great guys, a lot of integrity,” he said. “They’ve been sponges, which is great. So I’m glad they’re here. They fit in with our philosophy, with township policing.”
Supervisor chairman Bill Buckfelder read from a prepared statement, noting the top priorities of supervisors are public safety for residents and support of their police force.
“I’ve been a supervisor for 26 years, and I’ve never heard a negative comment regarding our policing,” Buckfelder said. “Our policing philosophy develops mutual respect between our residents and our police officers. Congratulations Zach and Jeremy, and thank you for your service and welcome to our team.”
Save the date
It was announced there will be an initial discussion about data center regulations during the next planning commission meeting, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, just prior to the regularly scheduled monthly supervisors meeting.
Officials said this meeting will be the “first basic public introduction of the actual regulations or draft regulations,” adding that there will be draft copies of those regs available for review. Township solicitor Andrew Morrow said it is anticipated this will be the first of several meetings to discuss proposed regulations, which are in the development phase between township officials and Morrow as legal counsel.
Other township business
In other business, supervisors voted unanimously to:
- Pay monthly invoices.
- Award the 2026-27 road salt contract to Eastern Salt Co. for $46,410.
- Grant a request to close the northwestern end of Pembrooke Lane on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 2 p.m. until sunset for a block party.
- Grant a request to close a portion of Harnish Street, from Elm Street to Pajabon Drive, on Sunday, Sept. 6, from 2 to 7 p.m. for a block party.
- Agree to a request for use of the township trails on Monday, Sept. 7, which is Labor Day, from 7 a.m. to noon for the 5K Mini-Thon.
- Receive the library report, including an announcement that summer programs are in full swing. Additionally, the library received $9,000 from the United Way for its Little Explorers program.
- Accept the park & recreation report.
- Approve the minutes of their June 15 meeting and treasurer’s report.
Next meeting
The next meeting of supervisors will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, in the municipal building at 655 E. Ridge Road, Palmyra. The meeting will be preceded by a planning commission meeting to discuss data center regulations.
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