Creamer elevated to chief

Officer John Creamer was presented with his Chief of Police badge by his son Wednesday at the Susquehanna Borough Council meeting. Creamer’s appointment to the post was unanimously approved by the council. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON

With his family present and the agenda item bumped to the top of the list, John Creamer was promoted to the position of Chief of Police in Susquehanna Depot.
Creamer has been serving as the Officer in Charge in the borough since the late February resignation of former chief, Robert Sweet.
Council members unanimously approved the appointment and commended Creamer for the work he had been doing in the borough as a patrolman and his role as officer in charge.
Councilman Roy Williams said, “He’s the right man for the job,” noting recent arrests made by Creamer.
Mayor Nancy Hurley said she was thrilled to have Creamer as the chief of police.
Council also approved advertising to hire two part-time patrol officers that would work a combined 32 hours each week.
Hurley said the hiring of two officers at 16 hours each per week fall within the set budget for the department and would require no additional funding from the borough. “We just need the bodies,” she said.
Borough council also approved purchase and installation of a back-up generator for the borough building.
Council reviewed three quotes received for installation of the generator, and discussed the work that would be done. The job was awarded to the low-bidder, Steve’s Electric, of Susquehanna.
Councilman John Hendrickson noted that the widespread power outage caused by the storm early this month caused a “borderline disaster” and urged borough residents to use it as a learning tool and look at their level of preparedness.
A draft of the proposed update to the borough zoning ordinance was sent to the Susquehanna County Planning Commission for review.
Following the review, the next step will be advertising the ordinance for 30 days, before moving forward with the final steps needed before adoption.
Council president Joe Varsik said the updated ordinance cleans up some of the language in the old ordinance and includes some minor changes.
A donation of $350 in support of the 4th Annual Hometown Days 5K race was approved. The race will be held on July 15 in conjunction with the Hometown Days celebration in the borough. Sponsorships of the race are due by June 23.
The borough has received the initial permitting required to begin work on the park project; and a meeting was scheduled to be held with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection and the railroad last week.
Project coordinator Judith Hershel said she expected that with the permits, clearing of trees at the site would soon begin. The park project is expected to take three years and be completed in 2020.