SEVEN FIELDS — Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Commission was informed Thursday, Nov. 2, that an arbitration hearing is planned for the ongoing negotiations surrounding its two remaining officers.

“There’s a call scheduled for next week,” said Megan Turnbull, solicitor for Seven Fields borough. “The understanding is that the parties will try to move forward as quickly as possible toward arbitration on Sgt. Meyers and his employment.”

While the municipalities work toward a dissolution of the Evans City-Seven Fields Regional Police Department, the remaining full-time officers — Sgt. Donald Meyers and Chief Joe McCombs — have been in buyout negotiations since late summer.

Turnbull said the officers were in “two different labor categories when it comes to labor-employment laws,” and the labor arbitrator would mediate Meyer’s buyout in accordance with the Policemen and Firemen Collective Bargaining Act.

“And then separately, there has been some back-and-forth with the representative for the chief,” she told the commission, “and I anticipate that in the coming weeks we’ll be able to bring all of that information to you for a decision.”

Until then, McCombs said all parties were in a “waiting pattern.”

Turnbull said the commission would meet for an executive session as soon as possible following the arbitration.

“Possibly as soon as next week,” she said.

While they wait, Seven Fields has accepted a $650,000 proposal from the Northern Regional Police Department of Wexford to provide police services until 2028, and Evans City remains in talks with neighboring municipalities for contracted police services.

The commission also approved a $170,000 refund to Evans City for half-a-year of payments toward the regional department.

Turnbull told the commission Seven Fields has made two of its quarterly payments to the department, with Evans City already making all four.

“In light of current staffing and budgetary needs, as those have been very different than those projected in your initial budget, there have been some discussions about the return of the third quarter and also the fourth quarter of payments,” she said.

She said the refund was “appropriate,” reflecting the needs of the department and keeping both municipalities’ contributions equal.

With approximately $120,000 in the commission’s checking account, according to administrative assistant Lori Brooks, the funds would be returned from its roughly $200,000 capital reserves.

“Projections have been made that that will be more than enough to get you through the end of the year,” Turnbull told the commission, “even in light of other conversations that you’re having with current employees.”

Shifts for the remaining officers were adjusted, with the commission approving a shift each from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. — covering both municipalities.

Two of the regional department’s four police vehicles were approved for sale on Municibid. They will first be decommissioned by IBIS Emergency Vehicles.

“They’re doing a complete strip-out of all emergency items per vehicle,” said Brad Rubinosky, commission member for Evans City, “and then there’s a second strip-out that will be graphics removal.”