Summerhill Township supervisors made a wise decision to rejoin the Forest Hills Regional Alliance. Their return will benefit not only residents of the township, but the alliance as well, making it even stronger.
Township officials voted in March to withdraw from the seven-member alliance, frustrated that the group was not moving toward a regionalized police force, something the supervisors have strongly supported.
“We figured we’d swallow our pride and go back. Hopefully, we might get something out of it,” said Hap Evancic, a longtime member of Summerhill’s board.
We have no doubts they and, more importantly, their residents will “get something out of it.”
The idea of a regional police force is still on the table, although such a department could end up being a venture among just a couple of the group’s members, according to Alliance Executive Director David Knepper.
Also at the top of the group’s agenda, Knepper said, was:
n Obtaining grants for the area.
n Group purchasing of health-care insurance.
n Group purchasing and use of equipment.
Whether called an alliance, coalition, shared-services committee, or something else, these groups throughout Cambria and Somerset counties are success stories. When municipal neighbors partner, tax dollars are saved.
A prime example is a police agreement announced last week between Cresson and Washington townships in which Cresson will provide police coverage to Washington. The pact, expected to go into effect as early as Sept. 1, will benefit both municipalities. Meanwhile, another neighbor, Lilly Borough, is also considering coming on board with Cresson Township.
“It’s been a tremendous benefit to us,” said Dan Penatzer, Ebensburg Borough manager, referring to the coalition among Ebensburg and Cambria and Jackson townships.
“We’re doing the things you would do in consolidation; we’re just taking a different approach,” added Cambria Township Supervisor Buzzy Shook.
We haven’t heard many municipal leaders criticize sharing-services efforts. By now, most local governments in Cambria and Somerset counties have worked out some type of sharing agreement with a neighbor or neighbors.
Shame on those who haven’t.
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