Shade OKs buying cruiser, nears contract with police

BY PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI
The Tribune-Democrat

CAIRNBROOK May 08, 2008 11:09 pm

— Shade Township officials on Thursday approved the purchase of a police cruiser to get their police department up and running.
Township supervisors will buy a 2008 Ford Crown Victoria from Tri Star Motors in Somerset for $25,992.
Township officials, in an effort to revive the police department, are hashing out details of a union contract and employee benefits.
“We’re getting close,” supervisor Chairman John Topka said. “We’re probably two weeks away.”
Officials last year agreed to merge the township’s one full-time and three part-time officers with Conemaugh Township police and pay $189,000 annually for coverage.
Shade decided to bring back its police force last month after the two sides failed to agree on a new one-year contract for an additional $43,000.
On Thursday, Topka told 25 audience members that the number of police officers and the police budget have not been determined.
“We have some details to work out,” Topka said.
State police in Somerset have been patrolling the township since the contract with Conemaugh Township expired last month.
In other business, Shade officials received a permit application from Air Tricity, which is seeking to erect electricity-generating wind turbines in the township.
The Ireland-based international wind farm developer is seeking to erect three wind towers.
Also, township officials sent a $15,000 do- nation to the Central City Volunteer Fire Department.