N. Lebanon Twp officials form development committee for potential regionalized police force

The North Lebanon Township Board of Supervisors took the first steps Monday towards a potential merger of the North Lebanon and North Cornwall Township police departments.

Supervisors Arden Snook and Gary Heisey, township Manager Lori Books and Police Chief Tim Knight were appointed to serve as township representatives on a regional police development committee.

The four appointees will meet with representatives from North Cornwall Township for further discussion and study of the concept of a regionalized police force that would be composed of personnel from the North Lebanon and North Cornwall police departments.

"Moving forward, it would be a steering committee to have further discussions on the police regionalization," Knight said in a phone call with the Lebanon Daily News Tuesday. "What that would include is a charter. You'd have to work on a charter agreement on the rules of the regionalization, and then go from there and work on contracts, pension, health care and things like that."

Knight added that he's not sure how long that process would take before members of the steering committee would be able to finalize a charter for a potential merger of the two departments.

"It's a learning experience, I think, for everybody," he said.

Both Heisey and Snook said at Monday's supervisor meeting that they believe North Lebanon Township should consider a regionalized force for the safety of the officers, allowing at least two officers to be available for each shift. It is believed that the cooperative agreement would also result in a shorter response time for most calls.

Heisey added that he met with each of the officers of the North Lebanon police department and the officers generally favor regionalization.

The board could have decided not to move forward, and that was the choice of Chairman Ed Brensinger who said, "I'm still not convinced it is a good idea for the township."

On Tuesday, North Cornwall Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution to be part of the regional police development committee. North Cornwall Township supervisors Mike Wahmann and Ron Sell, township Manager Thomas Long and police chief Harry Ward have all been chosen to serve on the committee.

The proposed 24-officer force would cover North Lebanon, North Cornwall and West Lebanon townships. The coverage area, including West Lebanon, would include 26.75 square miles and a combined population of 21,385 residents.

West Lebanon Township currently receives police coverage from North Lebanon Township Police and would likely be included in the coverage area of the regionalized police force.

During a special meeting in September, Knight said the proposed merger would put more officers on the street, would enhance the safety of three communities and provide "much-needed backup for the officers on the street."

"For a small department, (North Lebanon) has a very professional department," Knight said at the special meeting. "Our only weakness here is manpower."

Officials have said that the cost of a potential consolidated police force and what it would mean for residents is still being investigated. A study done by the state Department of Community & Economic Development proposed a $4.865 million budget for the consolidated force, but the potential consolidated department could receive grant funding to help offset that cost.

In 2023, North Lebanon Police department budget was $2.262 million, while the North Cornwall police budget was $1.987 million. West Lebanon also contributes $85,698 to North Lebanon for police service.

Residents looking to review the full Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development study for the potential regional department can visit the North Lebanon Township website at northlebanontwppa.gov.

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Roadmaster resigns

The township received a letter from Brensinger announcing his retirement as the township's roadmaster effective Dec. 1, 2023, Brooks said during her report.

Soon after Brensinger became a township supervisor in 2000, the township needed a roadmaster. Brensinger, an experienced construction contractor, offered to take over the job.

"I was given good equipment to use and good employees to work with, including the office staff, which allowed me to keep township roads up to standard. I appreciate previous boards and the current board for giving me the opportunity. We have capable people working in the highway department who will be able to continue the work", Brensinger said.

Snook, who worked on the highway crew for many years, said Brensinger did an excellent job.

Brensinger will continue to serve on the board of supervisors and if re-elected in the general election in November will be on the board for at least six more years.

Other business

The board also approved a request from the Northern Lebanon Little League to renovate the ball fields in the Township Community Park. The work will include resurfacing the fields, and adding a batting cage and warm-up area. The League will pay for the cost of the materials.

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The board also passed a resolution authorizing the ARRO Consulting firm to apply for a Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant in the amount of $917,514 to replace a deteriorating wall along Jay Street, and it also gave approval to the Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority to use the meeting room in the township building during the coming winter and spring months while the Authority's new office building is being constructed.

Lebanon Daily News Reporter Matthew Toth contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: N. Lebanon PA officials take steps toward regional police force