Leet officials and police officers have begun negotiations for a new contract.
Offices Chuck Galzarano, president of the police department’s collective bargaining unit, said commissioners received the first proposal this month.
“Everything’s going smooth so far,” he said on June 15.
Galzarano declined to get into specifics other than the department hopes for a 3- to 5-year deal.
The current 5-year contract is set to expire at the end of this year.
Commissioners discussed the proposal during an executive session on June 8.
“We will carefully study it and cost it out,” commission president Martin McDaniel said. “Hopefully, we will be able to reach an agreement. I think we’ve made a lot of improvements. I think things are going really well in the police department. I think people in Leet feel safe and secure.”
The next step in the process is for the township to come up with a counterproposal. A negotiation session was not scheduled as of presstime on June 17.
McDaniel is not part of the township’s negotiating team, which is comprised of commissioners Martin Zimmel and Jessica Cindrich.
“We want to jump early on this and have everything smoothed out (so) when the time comes, we just got to sign this,” Zimmel said.
Both Martin and Zimmel commended Chief Brian Jameson for his efforts in improving training and police service in Leet.
However, the chief is an administrative position and not impacted by the contract. The contract does impact five officers.
Zimmel, a retired Allegheny County Police detective and current Sewickley part-time patrolman, said his background should prove beneficial when talking with the officers. He also serves on the township’s Civil Service Commission.
Having department officers represent themselves bolsters relationships with township commissioners, according to Galzarano.
Zimmel did not want to speculate on a timeline for a deal. Galzarano said he hopes to have a new contract by August.
“I don’t expect any issues,” the officer said.
Commissioners have supported township police in multiple efforts the past few years.
Some of the big moves include budgeting for a new full-time officer and reinstating family health care plans in December 2024 and acquiring a new SUV this year. The department’s fleet is being re-decaled to make all vehicles more uniform and visible.
“Our township and our commissioners have been great,” Galzarano said. “They definitely show a lot of support for our police department. They’re always available anytime we need them, anytime we need to talk to them about anything.”