SLIPPERY ROCK — Five candidates for borough offices are interested in exploring creating a regional police force with Slippery Rock Township or other municipalities.

The candidates met Tuesday evening to discuss community issues.

Three council seats as well as the mayoral seat are up for election on Nov. 5.

Councilman Bob Bowser, who is running for re-election, said such a force could improve coverage for areas surrounding the borough that only have state police coverage.

Mike DeVault, who is running as a write-in candidate for council, said the borough and township should work together on the issue.

Ron Fodor, who is running unopposed for mayor, said the borough’s police force is one of its attractive qualities, but he also said there is room for improvement. He said borough police should be more visible. He also wants to work with the township.

Regina Greenwald, who is running for council, said she too would be interested in exploring a regional police force.

Mayor Ken Harris, who is running for council, said a regional police force would allow municipalities to combine forces while remaining independent and getting state money to help. A regional force could be governed by an independent council, he said.

On another subject, when asked about the borough’s bulk trash date, Bowser said if the borough’s solid waste committee supports moving the date from March back to May, then he also would favor it.

“I would vote to move it,” Bowser said.

DeVault said he would move the date back to May. Fodor and Greenwald said they would follow the committee’s recommendations.

Harris said he would wait to make a decision until the committee makes its official report to council.

Fodor, Greenwald and Harris had an interest in hiring a borough manager and possibly modifying the position of borough administrator.

DeVault said he would look into eliminating the administrator position and having council members do that work.

Bowser said that until someone figures out how to better staff the borough office, he would stick with current administrator Lucinda Lipko.

“She’s been here a long time; she’s done a good job,” Bowser said.

When asked about residents being alienated from council, Bowser said borough meetings can be cordial, but sometimes people have “axes to grind” with council, which he said can put up a barrier between council and residents.

DeVault said he has felt alienated at past meetings. Fodor said that council members and residents have to be patient and listen. Greenwald said that new blood on council could help the issue.

Harris said that having a training session on how to deal with the public for new council members could be explored.

When asked if there was one thing he would like to see accomplished during his term, Harris said he would like to reform the budget process to make it more open to the public and to council members.

“I think that will do a lot to help citizen understanding and, as importantly, council understanding,” Harris said.

Greenwald said she would like to see better communication between council and residents.

Fodor agreed: “I think that we really need to communicate more with the public.”

DeVault said he would like to see the borough’s solicitor costs be lowered and use the extra money to fix roads and sidewalks.

He also said to improve communication, the borough website should be more noticeable and should have more materials posted, such as meeting agendas.

Bowser said communication with the public is a problem. He encouraged residents to attend council meetings.

“If people would come to meetings regularly, a lot of misinformation could be avoided,” Bowser said.

He also said that Kiester Road should be paved, work on Kelly Boulevard should be completed and another full-time streets worker should be hired.

Bryan Whitby, a write-in candidate for council, was not present because he was out of town.