OAKLAND TWP — Township supervisors voted 2-1 on Wednesday, April 2, to approve an agreement for part-time policing of the township by Saxonburg police through the remainder of 2025.

The decision came one month after supervisors tabled conversation on the matter at the March meeting. At that same meeting, the board announced that a petition to place the decision on the ballot in November must be led by a resident.

At the April meeting, Supervisor Shaun Krill made a motion to approve an intergovernmental cooperation agreement to bring back Saxonburg police to the township. The agreement will see the department police the township for 20 hours a week.

Krill told attendees that the board first approached state police before pursuing any agreement with Saxonburg.

“We tried to get more coverage and couldn’t get it. There were certain things the state police couldn’t help us with, like enforcing some of our ordinances,” Krill explained.

Under the current resolution, policing will begin April 16, pending Saxonburg’s approval of the agreement. It will run until Jan. 5, 2026 or until the issue is brought to the ballot by a resident. In January, the agreement can be renewed for another year.

“In the meantime, I’m in favor of (the resolution). It worked, it helped. We had some issues where it can be a tool and helps us,” Krill said. “It’s not stepping on any toes, it’s not changing taxes.”

Before seconding the motion, Supervisor Brian Hans asked if anyone present was looking into pursuing the 68 signatures required to have the decision placed on the ballot. After receiving the affirmative from a few interested residents, he seconded the motion. Supervisor John Wogan voted against the resolution.

According to a document provided by the supervisors, the estimated cost for Saxonburg’s policing in 2025 is $45,700. This places the township $9,476 over the policing budget for the year.

“As the year goes by, I can be more specific with where the money comes from,” Krill wrote on the document.

In other business, supervisors voted unanimously to approve three bids.

The first, for an aggregate base and asphalt binder along, was awarded to Shields Asphalt Paving for a total cost of $249,369. The cost of this project is covered via a state Department of Transportation grant.

The second bid, for asphalt binder, was also awarded to Shields Asphalt Paving for $34, 717. A third bid, for asphalt binder course, was awarded to Youngblood Paving for $118,153.

The next supervisors meeting is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7.