NEW WILMINGTON, PA. Police pact includes 4% raises

The borough will have to look for a new police chief.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- The borough has approved a four-year police contract with the New Wilmington Police Wage and Policy Unit, which represents three full-time and two part-time officers.
Larry Wagner, council president, announced the contract approval at a borough council meeting last week.
Officer Jeffrey Wiesen, who represented police in bargaining, said after the meeting that the new contract provides a 4 percent wage increase each year. All officers will make $17.45 an hour plus benefits this year.
Medical insurance was changed from a comprehensive plan to "Point of Service Select Blue," a less-expensive, managed-care policy which Wiesen said will save the borough $250 per month for each officer.
Police also will now get dental, vision and prescription coverage. The health insurance cost is paid by the borough.
They also got one additional personal day per year for a total of four and the borough will provide a long-term disability insurance plan with police paying their own premiums.
The contract is retroactive to Jan. 1, 2002, and expires Dec. 31, 2005.
Additional matters: In other business, Police Chief Richard Hanna, who has been with the borough for 20 years, announced that he will retire Sept. 30.
He told council he will continue on a day-to-day basis if they haven't found a replacement by then.
Council member Susan Ligo, who heads the parks and pool committee, asked members to consider charging residents to swim this summer. She said she believes the move is necessary so the pool can meet expenses. She recommended a seasonal fee of $15 for one person and $20 for a family. Currently, borough residents swim free. Council delayed action on the proposal until its next meeting.
Wagner also announced that a plan has been finalized with Wilmington townships in Mercer and Lawrence County and also East Lackawannock Township in Mercer County to pay their proportional share of overhead costs for the borough's fire department.
Council voted unanimously to stand by its commitment to pay 50 percent of the $8,000 cost for a storm sewer to solve a basement water problem at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church on Maple Street.
The project cost has increased because of installation of larger-sized pipe across Market Street.
Council members agreed the sewer is not necessary from the borough's perspective, so it has no reason to assume any costs higher than what they have already agreed to.
Ligo announced the first session of swim lessons is set for June 17 to 28 and the second for July 9 to 19.
Council will meet in special session at 7:30 p.m. April 15 to open bids for operation of the borough's cable television system.