Two Berks County municipalities on Monday night continued discussing forming a regional police force.
Bethel and Tulpehocken townships have been exploring a regional police force since 2010. Each township has its own part-time department and relies on state police coverage when no officers are on duty.
The focus Monday was on details, but the supervisors decided to send out a letter, asking if any other municipalities were interested in regional policing.
The inquiries will go to Upper Tulpehocken, Marion and Jefferson townships and Strausstown.
Currently, Strausstown and Marion contract with Tulpehocken Township for police coverage.
Tulpehocken Township Chairman John A. Kintzer voted against sending the letter to Upper Tulpehocken and Jefferson townships.
"Our study we have in front of us would be right out the window," he said.
He was referring to a regional police study put together last year by merger consultant Joseph L. Kirschner for the Governor's Center for Local Government Services. It envisions a new force with:
Six full-time officers, up from the five full-time and one part-time officers now, and a full-time clerical person.
Four police cars, down from six.
A modular 64-foot-by-24-foot building with holding cells that could be leased for about $10,000 a year. Kirschner said it should be along Route 501 near the boundary of the two municipalities.
Kirschner recommended a 56-44 cost split with Bethel paying the larger share because it has 56 percent of the combined 7,440 population, 64 percent of total road miles and 69 percent of crime.
Bethel's per-capita cost for police coverage would rise to $54.93 from $50.63 in 2010, while Tulpehocken's would drop to $54.92 from the 2010 figure of $64.52, he said.
A regional police commission would need to be formed to hire, fire, prepare a budget and hold public meetings, with the townships being willing to give up control, Kirschner said.
The supervisors could not reach an agreement on how many people to put on the board that would govern the police force.
They also could not reach a decision on the building location.
Bethel has been working for two years to build a township building and police department behind the community center and library where the supervisors currently meet.
But the Tulpehocken supervisors were concerned the location wouldn't be central enough and wouldn't have room for expansion.
In the end, all discussion was postponed until the other municipalities decide whether they want to participate in the regional force.
The two townships' supervisors agreed to resume their discussions April 30 at 7 p.m. at the Tulpehocken Township office.
Contact Wilcox: 610-371-5015 or kwilcoxreadingeagle.com.
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