CURWENSVILLE – Curwensville Borough Council and the Clearfield Borough Police Chief are exploring ways to expand the police force.
Currently the CBPD is a force of one, due to financial problems Curwensville Borough Council furloughed all but one member of the police department.
On Monday night Johnston presented council with a proposed grant opportunity that may help to provide additional manpower to the force.
According to the agenda from Monday’s meeting the COPS grant would pay for a police officer at an entry level rate of $13.60 per hour. The borough would then be required to pay the balance, $3.50 per hour.
The grant would cover the officer for three years, but as a stipulation the borough would be required to keep the officer for one additional fiscal year.
“If we apply for it and it’s not what we think it is, do we have to keep it,” asked Mark Curulla, council president.
Johnston indicated that he was unaware of that answer. Council also had questions as to whether the borough had to pay for all benefits. There was language within the grant regarding that issue, but it was somewhat vague.
Curulla said he does not want to burden future councils with something they may not be able to afford.
“I’m all for police but we need to do this right,” said Curulla.
Council directed their solicitor and Johnston to look into the grant further before they take any action on it.