Sharpsburg officials have inked a new three-year police contract.

The vote was 6-0 in favor of the collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 249.

Both parties approved the deal March 28.

Council Vice President Kayla Portis was absent.

The contract is through Dec. 31, 2026. It impacts six full-time officers. There are no part-time officers.

Wage increases this year are 4%, the second year at 4.25% and the third at 4.5%.

There are no changes to benefits or health care contributions.

Jonathan Jaso, councilman and public safety committee member, said it was a fair contract.

“We came to the best contract for the police officers, for the borough and for the residents,” he said. “I don’t think there were any issues.

Councilwoman Sarah Ishman was on the borough’s negotiating team.

“I’m glad we got it done,” she said. “I’m glad it was a pretty quick process and good negotiation on both sides. I think everybody is really happy with the deal.”

This is the first Sharpsburg police contract negotiated through Teamsters. The last three-year contract was done through the department’s wage and policy committee.

“The agreement is with a new bargaining unit, so there’s language changes, some new stuff that comes with that,” Ishman said. “It went well. It was just different people. We all want the same thing, which is to come to a good agreement for both parties. We value our police force, and we’re glad to have a good deal with them.”

Local 249 Vice President Keith Frank was glad to welcome a new police department into the fold.

“We’re extremely happy to have them as members,” Frank said. “We’re happy that the council had come together to get a fair contract with the police officers and recognize the work that they do. Our main goal is to make sure they’re protected and paid the wages and benefits for the jobs that they do.”

In other police matters

Council appointed Officer Zachary Smith of Lawrenceville as a permanent police officer.

He was hired on a probationary basis February 2023. His salary is about $55,700.

Smith grew up in Indiana Township and graduated from Fox Chapel Area High School in 2015.

“He’s demonstrated improvement in all facets of employment and has become a valuable asset to the department,” Chief Thomas Stelitano said.

In other emergency services matters

Council voted 5-1 to change the 0.5-mill fire tax to the emergency services tax. Jaso dissented.

Ishman explained council was changing the language of the ordinance so money generated from the tax could be used for police and EMS after the volunteer fire department’s needs were met. The tax generates about $58,000.

“If you open it up to emergency services, you have more hands in the bucket,” Jaso said. “That’s not what the tax was originally meant for. It was meant specifically for the fire department. I understand nothing is going to be taken away from the fire department, but there is that potential (for funds to be used for other departments).”

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