As Southwest Mercer County Regional Police Commission members failed to come to any understanding on budget and staffing problems, Helen Richardson believed that one thing was clear: She did not need the $50 she was to be paid to sit there.

"We get paid for coming to these meetings," the West Middlesex councilwoman said Tuesday. "Put that back in the budget."

The commission members agreed to stop accepting their $50 monthly salary for attending commission meetings.

"If you get hungry without that $50 a month, come to my house," she said as an incentive to other commission members, including Farrell Councilman Robert Burich, who was attending his first commission meeting.

The commission budgeted $4,200 to cover commission member salaries this year.

"That 4,200 bucks would make a nice dent to put an officer on the street," she said.

The money, however, is far short of what the commission needs to reinstate two policemen to full-time status. Patrolmen David Moyer and Darren Garner were reduced to part-time status Jan. 1 to reduce department costs.

Commission Chairman James DeCapua has said it would take about $30,000 to reinstate one patrolman to full-time status.

The commission is awaiting word from District Attorney James P. Epstein, who pledged money to help pay for salaries.

Epstein said Monday he has not determined how much money he will have available from sources such as drug and liquor forfeitures and state reimbursement of Weed and Seed grant costs.

One of Epstein's main concerns about the police force is the ability to perform follow-up investigations of crimes. Farrell Mayor William Morocco said the city might have some money to dedicate to police investigations, but DeCapua said that's not what he was told by City Manager LaVon Saternow.

Morocco said the city included a 4-percent increase in its assessment for Southwest for in its budget, even though Southwest only asked for a 2.5-percent hike.

The mayor said he would like to see that remaining 1.5 percent -- he did not know how many dollars that would equal -- go for police investigations, saying municipalities are obligated to address deficiencies.

But DeCapua said he was told by Mrs. Saternow that the only money coming from Farrell beyond the assessment would be a U.S. Department of Justice grant the city has received for several years and has been given to the department for equipment.

DeCapua said he needs to sit down with city officials and discuss Morocco's proposal.

Exactly how much money Farrell is supposed to be giving Southwest in its assessment is debatable.

According to the Southwest budget, Farrell is to pay $799,124 this year. But the city budget only allocated $781,698 to Southwest. Mrs. Saternow said she has not been able to rectify the discrepancy.

The city and department also have different figures for how much Farrell was to pay in 2001. Farrell budgeted $751,633, and Southwest budgeted $779,633.

Morocco again said he would be able to open discussions with Wheatland and West Middlesex on giving more money to Southwest.

Only Wheatland Mayor Tom Stanton responded, saying he thinks the county should start a detective branch, noting that the county pays for jailing prisoners.

Wheatland Councilman George Keryan asked if state police could help Southwest. Police Chief Joseph Timko said he didn't think state police would help because they have the same manpower problems that local departments do.

He added that state troopers are already being used for special duties in Farrell and Sharon under the Weed and Seed program.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Joe Pinchot at jpinchot@sharon-herald.com