The ongoing question of whether to bring a new K-9 into the Catasauqua Police Department was a major topic of discussion at the Sept. 15 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting.

In May, the borough lost its K-9, Zora, due to a medical issue. Police Chief John Wiseman has been serving as the K-9 handler for the past 16 years.

In her report, Mayor Barbara Schlegel reported Wiseman already has a dog identified, trained and ready in Virginia. She noted they could get the K-9 for about $17,000, none of which would come from the borough. She noted, as with the other K-9s in the past, the community has made donations and they would fundraise for the cost of the dog to alleviate costs to the borough.

She asked council members to keep in mind during their discussions that this particular K-9 would not be available much longer, and it could cost more than $100,000 to get another dog trained and ready in the future.

Council Vice President Brian Bartholomew pressed the issue again later in the meeting, saying he is done talking about the issue without taking action.

Council President Howard Cunningham reiterated the K-9 issue involves discussion of Wiseman’s employment contract, so they should discuss it in executive session. Bartholomew said he is tired of talking in executive session, saying once they get behind those doors, nothing happens but more talking.

“The public deserves to know,” he said, adding the people elected them to do things, not just talk about them.

Bartholomew asked Solicitor Chuck Smith if the police chief’s contract and salary are public knowledge. Smith couldn’t say if the whole thing is public but noted there is a provision in the contract prohibiting Wiseman from having another K-9.

Councilman Eugene Schlegel made a motion to remove the “no K-9 clause” from Wiseman’s contract, which was seconded by Bartholomew.

One of the main issues council had was that while Wiseman has served as the K-9 officer for so many years, he wasn’t the chief then. Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart noted there is extra compensation that comes with serving as a K-9 officer that was not built into the contract Wiseman and the borough recently agreed upon.

There was also concern about Wiseman balancing his administrative duties as chief and patrolling or responding to calls with the K-9. It was noted one of the borough’s focuses has been on filling the police department roster enough so the chief does not need to go out on patrol and can focus on the “big picture” and administrative work.

Cunningham also noted, under Act 60, the K-9 and its handler are required to undergo 16 hours of monthly training, which would take Wiseman away from his other duties.

Councilwoman Jill Smerdon said she would like Wiseman to come before council and detail the crimes solved in which the K-9 played a part over the years. She also wanted to ask him about his plan to balance all of the chief duties with the K-9 handler duties.

“His position changed as soon as he became chief,” Councilwoman Virginia Schlegel said. “Let’s let him learn the ins and outs of his new job before adding to his plate.”

Bartholomew noted that while Wiseman’s role as chief is still new, he had served as the officer in charge, with the same duties and responsibilities, for a year. He also reiterated how much the costs increase if they wait and lose out on the current dog waiting in the wings.

Barbara Schlegel also noted the department doesn’t have another borough officer with the qualifications to serve as the K-9 handler.

Councilwoman Kim Brubaker said they need to weigh the pros and cons and consider the impact to the community on having a K-9 in the department.

Cunningham noted they have other focuses for the department they want to handle first, such as bringing the roster numbers up and finishing the accreditation process.

Virginia Schlegel recommended they continue discussions in executive session and speak with Wiseman to do their due diligence.

Cunningham made a motion to table the vote, seconded by Virginia Schlegel. The motion passed 5-2, with Bartholomew and Eugene Schlegel opposed.