Officials from Butler and Center townships as well as Butler signaled a willingness Monday to engage in talks about forming a regional police force, but acknowledged that they each have questions and reservations in doing so. Butler Township officials, including board president Commissioner Dave Zarnick, township manager Ed Kirkwood, and Police Chief John Hayes, said they are open to discussing the idea in more detail, but acknowledged that they are concerned about the city's financial position. Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson, in favor of the merger,said the city is struggling with a large budget shortfall and likely to run out of money by mid-November, and has the most to gain from the move in his opinion. He maintained that a regional department could “set the grade for Western Pennsylvania,” and would only work if all three municipalities' police departments banded together. “The only feasible way to do this is a three-way regional department,” Donaldson said. Officials said if the municipalities decided to merge police forces it would likely create “one of the top two or three departments in the state,” in terms of size. Butler Township's department has 21 officers, while the city has 23 officers. Center Township has no department, and while the municipality's representatives said Monday they're open to discussing a change, they aren't convinced it's something their constituents want or need. “Our board is neutral right now until we get more information,” said Supervisor Ken Frenchak, referring to the position of the Center supervisors.

For a complete report, see Tuesday's Butler Eagle.