Ashley appoints officer part-time chief

ASHLEY – Borough council voted Tuesday night to approve the appointment of officer John J. Bell as part-time police chief, before a packed house of residents.

Councilman Don Sipple was the lone dissenter of the appointment, stating he felt the interview process was rushed and lacked due-diligence and input from council.

Councilman Joe Gorham also expressed concern about the borough's hiring process but voted to approve Bell's appointment after noting his exception.

Bell, of Exeter, was promoted from his position as a patrolman in the borough.

He also serves Wyoming Borough as a part-time officer.

"It is no secret that I feel policing is the noblest profession that a person can undertake," Bell said. "It has incredible rewards and responsibilities."

Bell said he is aware of the recent criticism the borough's police department has received and he plans to address all challenges and shortcoming as head of the department."

In other business:

• Council voted to hire two part-time police officers to replace the officers who either resigned or were demoted in July. Ryan Kachinsky and Michael Rahl were sworn in before council at Tuesday's meeting.

• Borough Solicitor William Vinsko presented a plaque to longtime Ashley officer Sgt Joseph McGlynn, who resigned in July.

• Council vote to approve $3,600 for temporary repairs to the Parrish Street bridge.

• Sipple suggested the borough use time cards as a way to track employees' hours in the future.

After a brief discussion, the measure did not come to a formal vote.