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Borough council voted unanimously to approve a five-year contract with West Hempfield Police Department in the amount of $1,077,497.
The approval came after borough officials in September learned a proposed, new five-year contract with Manor Township would result in a more than 50 percent cost increase for police services.
Borough officials found the increase unacceptable and sought a bid from West Hempfield.
Manor Township officials said they raised their contract costs due to an increase in operational expenses and the need for a more equitable agreement between the two municipalities in the form of a per capita rate of $107 for township and borough residents.
The Manor Township contract set to expire at the end of the year charges Mountville Borough about $63 per resident for police protection. Manor Township residents pay about $108 per capita.
With a population of 2,472 residents, Mountville's 2009 police contract cost is about $156,000.
The new contract with West Hempfield Township is slated to start at an initial cost of $195,000.
When word of the increase proposed by Manor Township reached councilwoman Susan Watson, the borough's general government and finance committee chairwoman, she grew concerned about the impact a new contract could have on taxpayers.
After choosing to sign a contract with West Hempfield, Watson said borough taxpayers would get at least a one-year reprieve from any tax hike.
The five-year contract submitted by West Hempfield police and approved by township supervisors was $126,000 less over the life of the five-year contract than the proposed renewal through Manor Township.
Watson said West Hempfield police already "assist with Fields of Screams, and they drive through the borough to other parts of their township."
Although the first- and second-year costs with West Hempfield's contract were slightly higher than Manor, year five of the West Hempfield contract was more than $85,000 less than Manor.
Francis Zimmer, a member of council and public safety chairman, said, "We have a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers."
Philip Kresge, a councilman and mayor-elect, sought input from Watson, council President Paul Chin and Mayor Connie Guy, who took part in the contract process.
"I want to know what the pros and cons are," Kresge said.
Chin said a review of both contracts by the borough's solicitor revealed no significant differences that would affect the level of policing service.
Chin asked borough residents to be patient during the transition.
West Hempfield Police Chief Mark G. Pugliese, who attended the council meeting, said any differences in service between the two departments would be addressed.
Pugliese said West Hempfield officers would need additional training in the area of community crime watches, which are common in the borough.
Guy was confident West Hempfield would do a fine job in the borough, but she tried unsuccessfully to convince council to find a way to fund the increase with Manor Township and continue the relationship.
Guy made no attempt to veto council's decision.
Cpl. Gary Strick and Chief Todd Graeff of Manor Township police said they would work with West Hempfield during the transition.
Last month, Lancaster Township supervisors approved a new police contract with Manheim Township, which will end a 38-year-old pact with Lancaster city.
Tony Allen, a supervisor who was defeated in a re-election bid Nov. 3, said, "We'll have 24-hour, seven-day coverage in all areas of Lancaster Township, which we never had before. And, we're saving about half a million dollars. We're getting better coverage for the money."
The five-year agreement will cost Lancaster Township $1,005,243 in 2010. In subsequent years, that amount can grow by no more than 6 percent per year.
