Township, Chief Agree on New Employment Contract

LOWER POTTSGROVE PA – The employment contract between Lower Pottsgrove and township Police Chief Richard “Rick” Bell has been renewed with satisfaction on both sides, members of the Board of Commissioners report.

Commissioners renewed Bell’s first-year contract with some changes, and also gave him a 4-percent raise to a salary of $135,200, during their Nov. 17 (Thursday) meeting in the township municipal building on Buchert Road. Township Manager Ed Wagner said the board was “very pleased” with Bell’s performance since his official hiring in late October 2021.

The contract, which was initially limited to single-year expirations and required re-authorization, has now been re-written to “roll over” and renew annually with the consent of both parties, Wagner said. Also included were minor changes to paid time-off provisions and use of the chief’s vehicle, he added.

Board members have yet to act on providing a new labor contract for rank-and-file officers in the police department. They are rapidly approaching the end of a second year without a collective bargaining agreement in place. Wagner reported earlier this month that both sides were awaiting a decision from a third-party arbitrator.

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