Township Committee passed an ordinance that will allow for a police captain position among other changes.
Cinnaminson will be restructuring its police department to add new officers as well as a few additional leadership roles.
Township Committee recently passed an ordinance that will allow for a police captain position as well as additional sergeants and officers.
The department currently has 24 sworn officers with five sergeants and one lieutenant. The restructuring will allow for up to 29 officers, eight sergeants, two lieutenants and one captain. Two lieutenant positions are available in the department, though only one is filled.
The proposed 2017 municipal budget includes the cost of hiring four officers as well as the anticipated costs of the command positions. The ordinance that was passed creates a new structure but will not necessarily fill every position.
Director of Public Safety Michael King recommended Committee approve the restructuring request as he feels the department is understaffed.
“This is to set up the composition so we can move forward,” King said.
Committeeman John McCarthy says he feels the officers have been in high demand due to their positive relationship with the community, which has allowed for a greater level of comfort in calling the department when needed.
Committeeman Donald Brauckmann had questions, including span of control and responsibility, and was the only committeeman to vote against the ordinance.
“I do have some experience in this, so I may require a little more explaining regarding the composition of our police department,” Brauckmann said, referring to his service as a police officer.
Despite having a few questions, Committeeman Howard “Bud” Evans voted “yes,” eliciting an audible gasp from residents.
“I look at this as a step toward the right direction,” Evans said. “It opens up the possibility for a broader hiring pool.”
Many residents in attendance were not in favor of the ordinance as they wanted to see a chief of police instead of a police captain. Residents have long expressed their concerns over King’s six-year reign as director of public safety, saying a chief of police should have already been appointed.
Mayor Anthony Minniti clarified Committee is on board with the idea of cultivating a police chief, however, resident Marie Birbeck was still concerned with regard to the time it will take to get there.
“If it’s four years from now, you’re going on a decade,” she said.
While there is no official timetable set, Minniti says this ordinance is a step in getting back to a chief of police position.
In other news:
• Deputy Mayor William “Ben” Young announced he will no longer be applying for the director of public works position. Several residents were unhappy with Young’s application, saying the salary increase that comes with the job would cause his pension to skyrocket.
Committee recently announced it will hire an outside agency to assist in hiring the director of public works. The application process will start from scratch, and Young says he will not re-apply.
Young added it was stated to him that should the makeup of Committee change after he filled the director of public works position, he would be fired.
“I can say, selfishly, I consider it Cinnaminson’s loss,” Young said. “I’ve been here for 40 years, and I know this town inside and out.”
• Minniti announced Saia LTL Freight will be coming to Cinnaminson, creating 50 jobs.
“Cinnaminson really recently scored a big economic development win when we outcompeted neighboring municipalities, including Philadelphia, to become the Philadelphia regional hub for Saia,” Minniti said.
He added the company uses environmentally-friendly energy and is operated indoors, which reduces noise.
• Committee passed an ordinance to create a four-way stop at New Albany Road and Parry Boulevard.
