One down, one to go.

Sharpsville has had two big issues -- the future of the water plant and whether to merge its police department with Hermitage's -- hanging over the borough for months.

On Wednesday, council knocked off one of those issues when it unanimously approved two motions that ensure the borough will have its own police department, effectively ending any negotiations that were under way with Hermitage.

"I think it's safe to say we'll be maintaining our police department, at least for the next couple of years," said council President Jack Cardwell, who also thanked Hermitage officials, including City Manager Gary Hinkson, for the long hours they put in during the merger discussions.

Those motions, explained by Councilman Tom Lally, included:

   » An addendum to the current contract for the years of 2003, 2004 and 2005 that the borough will maintain the department with five full-time patrolmen or officers as permitted by civil service hiring regulations. The department had six full-timers at one point, but has been at four since this summer after the borough didn't fill the positions of former Chief Bruce Rosa or K-9 Officer Tom Borton following their resignations.

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