Jan 10, 2017 By Cara Host 2 min read

Bethel Park Council voted Jan. 9 to make permanent the promotions for three police officers during the municipality’s first meeting of the new year.

Edward Kach, Michael Dunn and David Arnold were promoted to sergeant last February. After they completed the required probationary period, police Chief Timothy O’Connor recommended that all three promotions become permanent.

Council also approved a deferred retirement option plan (DROP) for police Lt. Tim Kirsch. Kirsch is eligible to retire, but he will receive a portion of his pension while he continues working.

Council also reappointed several people to various municipal boards as part of the 2017 reorganization.

Mayor Jack Allen recognized nine homeowners for having the best holiday light displays in their respective wards. The mayor hands out commendations every year after a panel of judges view the various displays, and vote on the winners.

One of the winners, Louis Deangelis, said he and his wife wanted an alternating pattern of red and green lights for their display on Kings Mill Road. They could only find solid red and solid green string lights in the stores, so they painstakingly took each bulb out and made the pattern themselves, for all 40,000 lights.

“I guess the people of Bethel Park appreciated it, so thank you,” he said.

Councilman Don Harrison complained about a contract with the crossing guards that was approved last month. Harrison did not object to the contract itself, but said that a copy of the contract was signed before council voted to approve it.

“That doesn’t show respect for the process,” he said.