Borough airs police switch questions

MILFORD —What will happen to our guys, how much control will we have, and how much will it cost, were big questions as the borough opened the public discussion of who will police Milford. The Borough Council is considering a contract that would have Milford join the new Eastern Pike Regional police in July and disband the borough police force. The Eastern Pike Regional force is overseen by a four-person commission. Milford would have two seats if they join. Milford police equipment and the office would be turned over to the new department. Current Milford officers would have to reapply to join the new force. That was a problem for Mike Bennett. “Gary Williams has been (Milford) chief for 147 years,” Bennett said lightly. He added in a more serious tone, “It bothers us to just cut him loose.” Although Williams would collect his pension, Borough President Matt Osterberg said, “It bothers us, too ... He’s not just an employee, he’s a neighbor.” “Unfortunately, we can’t let him determine what we need to do, “ he added. New officers will have to be hired to handle a larger patrol area. Osterberg said new Milford members on the commission would “go there and tell them that we feel strongly about our guys getting hired.” Some people like things as they are. “We see our guys a lot and feel good about that. The crime rate has been low in the 10 years we’ve been here. I’d be willing to pay a couple of hundred more a year to keep our own police,” one man proposed. The police would be funded through budget requests to the three municipalities, based on their populations. Former Mayor “Skip” Gregory said taxation based on property values would be more equitable. Solicitor John Klemeyer said only the full commission could change the funding policy. The municipalities still control the purse strings, he added. Osterberg said he didn’t know why Milford Township declined to join. “We asked them. They weren’t interested,” he said. Based on the first year, Mayor Dick Gassman said Matamoras Borough has been pleased with its experince in joining with the larger Westfall Township department, Osterberg said. Monday’s 45-minute discussion was the first part of a public hearing that will continue on June 2. “I want you to go home and think about this,” Osterberg told the audience.