By Amber Cox, Special Writer
FLORENCE — Police Chief Stephen Fazekas will be retiring March 1 after 25 years and Township Council on Jan. 18 started the process of his replacement with either a public safety director or another police chief.
It introduced an ordinance establishing the hiring of a public safety director and second, establishing salaries for the public safety director and chief law enforcement officer.
In 1999 when the previous chief retired the township made a similar move and hired a public safety director.
”They will be reviewing the Police Department with the idea of a chief or permanent public safety director in the future," Mayor Craig Wilkie said.
Beginning March 1, Township Administrator Richard Brook will serve as the temporary public safety director and the chief law enforcement officer will be Capt. Al Scully.
A second ordinance was introduced to set the salaries for each ranging from $50,000 to $115,000 and pertains to the 2012 year and will stay in effect until the council states otherwise.
Public hearings and adoption votes on the ordinances will be held Feb. 1.
In other busines, council approved the first reading on an ordinance involving water and sewer connection fees.
”The municipality charges water and sewer connection fees wherever there are new connections,” Mr. Brook said. “If someone is already connected to the water and sewer system they are not charged if they have to make another connection.”
He explained that the ordinance is only for new connections. It is tied directly into debt service. The township’s auditor was involved in adjusting the rates.
The new rate will be $4,683 for a new connection, $1,356 more than last year’s rate.
Mr. Brook explained that this will mostly affect new housing developments.
”It does not impact anyone who is presently connected to the system,” he said. “The township utilizes the funds for capital improvements, the money goes into the budget.”
Council also introduced an ordinance amending the Economic Development Committee membership from 14 to seven..
Mayor Wilkie explained that four years ago it was expanded to a 14-person committee and he has recommended a seven-member committee.
One member will be from the Township Council and the other six will be residents.
”I would recommend that the council would have to approve the citizens,” Mayor Wilkie said.
”There will be four additional members, geared to people who have been on the committee for many, many years. I believe a seven-member committee is more workable than a 14-member committee.”
