Elizabeth Borough extends police contract; honors longtime business owners

The cost has risen in the new agreement with Elizabeth Twp.

Elizabeth Borough council voted Tuesday to renew its contract with Elizabeth Township for police services, extending the deal by two years through 2029.

The new agreement comes at a higher cost, said Borough Manager Scott Craighead. The rates will be $205,734.42 for March 1 to Dec. 31 of this year, $325,000 for 2027, $350,000 for 2028 and $380,000 for 2029.

“We increased some costs in the final year of the current contract in order to receive very reasonable and affordable professional first class police coverage for the next four years,” Craighead said. “We really want to work in partnership with them, and that worked out really well.”

In late 2023, the borough voted to disband its police department and enter into a contract for police services with neighboring Elizabeth Township. The police force has been with the township since then, along with Forward Township and West Elizabeth Borough.

“It’s kind of like a blended, extended project for us where we looked at our last year of our contract a little bit more, and extended our contract so the police know in the future who they have to service in the next four to five years so they can do their negotiations with their union,” Craighead said.

Council President Tim Guffey said Vice President Chad Rager and Craighead spearheaded the “at-times intense conversations” to negotiate a contract. He said they fought for a very good contract that is beneficial for the borough.

Loan payoff

Council also voted Tuesday to pay off the $112,347.63 remaining on a Farmers National Bank loan.

The payoff will make the borough debt free, according to Guffey. That doesn’t include the sale of the municipal authority, which happened in December.

Guffey said there will be more to discuss on the sale next month and that being debt free could not have happened without the current council or the last three to four councils. He added getting to a debt-free place has been the result of six to seven years of effort.

“This is a good day for Elizabeth because ultimately what this does is it makes us debt free,” Guffey said. “Elizabeth Borough and debt free don’t get talked about in the same sentence over the course of years, and I’m talking decades.”

Longtime business owners honored

Elizabeth Borough council recognized several business owners during Tuesday’s meeting for their long presence in the area.

Rager presented awards to Dr. Marybeth Cline, DVM, for her 35 years of veterinary practice, along with Dr. Edwin Davis, DDS, for his 44 years of dental practice. Rager commended both of them for their time in the borough.

“A couple months ago I brought up to the board to do some kind of appreciation for over the years for what our business owners gave us,” Rager said. “One gave 35 years and one gave 44 years in this town. That’s big, that’s huge, you don’t see that in normal towns anymore. You guys have watched me grow up since I was a kid, and that’s what small towns do.”

Family and friends packed the board room to celebrate Cline and Davis for their achievements. There were sandwiches, cake and other refreshments.

Guffey said the special presentation honors two of the borough’s “fine, outstanding business people” who have retired.

Cline, the founder and the medical director of Riverside Veterinary Hospital, announced for the 35th anniversary in July 2025 that she was handing over her practice to new medical director Dr. Ben Mirro and Practice Manager Karen Weissert as well as the many technicians and assistants who have belonged to the practice since she started it.

Cline told the Mon Valley Independent in August that the rest of the staff is “the best team in the business” and it would not be possible to reach 35 years without them.

She started teaching veterinary technology at PennWest University more than three years ago, and has accepted a full-time teaching position as an assistant professor and Director of the Veterinary Technology program – leaving Riverside behind. She said she hasn’t been very good at retiring,and is “trying to keep busy.”

In Cline’s recognition, council cited her compassion, dedication and exceptional care to pets and families in the community and stated that she has left an enduring mark on every life she touched.

“Obviously, I’m very honored,” Cline said. “Wow, and it’s kind of cool I’m going out with Dr. Davis, too. We’ve both been around for a long time. It’s very exciting.”

An Elizabeth Township and Greenock resident, Davis’ practice was located at 118 S. Second Ave., and while he did not get anyone to buy the practice, he stated there are many places in the area for people to get their teeth cleaned.

According to Davis’ recognition, his skills, passion and commitment have created countless healthy smiles and strengthened the Elizabeth Borough community.

Davis thanked the late Dr. Albert I. “Abby” Monheim for letting him take over the practice after Monheim started the location in 1933.

“He allowed me to come in here, and because of him, I was able to be here,” Davis said. “I could have gone to McKeesport, but I’m glad I ended up here. It’s been an honor to work here. Being able to be here for all these years was a blessing.”

In other business:

• The military banner program is changing to double-sided single banners throughout the borough mounted on a single pole. Those who have banners that need to be replaced, as well as those who have not heard from the borough, should contact the borough office at 412384-7771. The cost of a replacement banner is $85.

• The codification process of all the borough’s ordinances is in the final stages, and they’re expected to be completed by June 30.

• Council accepted the results of the 2024 audit from Mark Turnley, CPA, and approved Craighead to attend the Allegheny League of Municipalities Spring Education Conference for $1,300.