Excitement is brewing between Blawnox and O’Hara officials as they look to finalize an intergovernmental agreement for police services.

The plan is for the Blawnox’s four full-time officers, including Chief Patrick Goodman, to become O’Hara officers and join the township force at the O’Hara municipal office at the start of next year.

They would get new uniforms and Goodman would become deputy superintendent, second in command to police Superintendent Jay Davis.

“I think it’s good,” Davis said about the move. “It’s about sustainability. I think this is definitely going to benefit both the township and Blawnox. The last thing we wanted to see was the state police patrolling Blawnox. We want to make sure that service is provided to them.”

Township council at a special meeting Aug. 13 authorized a memorandum of understanding with the Blawnox Police Department allowing such a police protection contract.

Both communities are expected to pass ordinances at their September meetings to make things official.

Managers from both communities said formulas have been used to determine wages. Pensions are expected to remain secure with the transition. Related financial figures have yet to be disclosed.

O’Hara Councilman George Stewart said he and his colleagues don’t usually meet in August but called for the special meeting to help move the police deal forward.

He commended township Manager Julie Jakubec for making it all possible.

“She’s just the right person to figure out all the ‘ands,’ ‘ifs’ or ‘buts,’ ” Stewart said. “She spent a lot of time trying to figure it out. She figured out a way to get it done. The fact that we’re able to work it out to this degree is wonderful.”

Blawnox moved forward with its ordinance advertisement Aug. 14.

“I think it’s a good move that we are joining forces along with O’Hara Township,” council President Debbie Laskey said. “I think it’s an excellent move for both parties. We have a four-man staff with a chief, and we’re going to combine that.

“We always think first of the protection of the citizens. That is our goal. That is our focus. I believe by doing this it would be a good move. It’s only tentative. Nothing has been signed.”

O’Hara Council meets the second Tuesday of the month. Blawnox Council meets the second Wednesday of the month.

The township has a social worker and a human services department within its police department. However, it is a separate entity.

Converting Blawnox police to township officers does not mean Blawnox would gain access to the social worker.

Officers from both communities are familiar with each other and respond to major calls together as part of mutual aid.

It’s unclear what would become of the Blawnox police station next year.

Davis said operations would be centralized at the township building for supervision concerns.

“At the start of each shift, the sergeants conduct their standard briefing roll call,” Davis said. “We want to make sure that everybody’s on the same page at the start of every shift.”

O’Hara has 15 full-time officers, including Davis. The Blawnox additions could make it so at least three officers are available per shift. It also would provide more training opportunities.

Davis said he does not anticipate any issues with dispatch times. Vehicles would get new decals to reflect services provided to both communities.

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