Police gain two special officers for court security
SPARTA — The Township Council passed a resolution last week to approve the hiring of two special officers to provide expanded courtroom security.
The officers are part of Sparta’s efforts to beef up Municipal Court security, as recently mandated by the state and county.
Sparta Police Chief Ernie Reigstadt introduced Andrew Coccio, a retired Sergeant from West Orange, and Paul DeMott, a retired detective from Hambug to the council. The special officers will work part time and will earn $20 per hour. They will work 15 to 20 hours per week.
In addition to the officers, a new metal detection device will also be installed at the entrance to the court. Coccio and DeMott will be stationed outside the court to monitor those who enter and to operate the metal detector. Sergeant John Paul Beebe, who is in charge of court security, will continue to be positioned inside the courtroom when court is in session.
Two detectives to retire
Reigstadt also said the department will soon be filling the vacancies of two retiring officers. Detective Sergeant John Schanstra and Lt. Mark Rozekset to retire this year and will both be replaced, Reigstadt said.
Township Manager David Troast said that he and Reigstadt have had discussions as to how the positions will be filled. He said, “The Chief and I are in step – when we lose an officer we have to replace an officer to keep the same number of officers the town currently has.”
Reigstadt said there would likely be promotions from within, and those eligible will be reviewed and tested. The jobs vacated by anyone promoted from within will then be filled and could come from the department’s re-hire list the Chief said.
Council approves ‘ad hoc’ committee to work with BOE
Among four new ad hoc committees approved by council last week was a joint committee with the Sparta School Board to work on better communication between the two groups and to deal with matters of mutual concern.
The idea was first suggested last fall by School Superintendent Denis Tobin as part of his superintendent’s action plan. Tobin said the committee could meet four times a year and have rotating membership so everyone gets a chance to participate. One main task the committee would have, Tobin said, is to look for ways to increase the shared services between the municipality and the school district to save on operating funds. Tobin said he received positive feedback from both school board members and council members last fall when he began talking about the idea.
Last week the council unanimously approved the new committee. Mayor Gil Gibbs said he was excited about working together with the school board in this way and hopeful about their prospects for improving their relationship, communication, and mutual services.
However, such a committee may be on hold until the new Board of Education further reviews the idea and approves. The committee was on the board’s agenda for approval on Jan. 3, but was tabled.
New Board President Frank Favichia said he wanted to examine further what kind of structure an ad hoc committee with the council would have and what their charter would be. He said he felt it might be redundant since the board and council already have liaisons to the other elected body.
The board’s discussion on this committee will likely continue at their work session scheduled for Mon. Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m.