KULPMONT - The borough's law enforcement liability policy is nearly seven times more expensive than before council settled a civil lawsuit involving former Police Chief Rick Wilson III.
Had Wilson stayed on as chief rather than "retire" July 23 at age 35, however, it would have cost even more.
The borough for at least the past two years has budgeted $1,500 for the policy, but the new one approved Aug. 7 will cost $10,247 a year. A quote shows it would have been $20,219 if Wilson were still chief.
The two quotes, from Indian Harbor Insurance Co., of Stamford, Conn., were submitted in mid-July while the borough scrambled to find a new policy after the former carrier reportedly said it would no longer represent the borough because of the lawsuit.
The former carrier had given 90-day cancellation notice in April. As the July 17 deadline arrived without a new policy in place, the borough was forced to shut down its police force that day. The force at the time included Wilson and five part-time officers. State police at Stonington were made aware of the situation.
Two days later, on July 19, police operations resumed when the borough was OK'd for a new "high-risk" policy. Mayor Myron Turlis said that day he couldn't say how much the premium would cost until a personnel issue was resolved.
Four days later, on July 23, after an executive session as part of a special meeting, Wilson's retirement was announced.
The borough on Aug. 7 then signed the contract for the $10,247 policy.
After applying a $2,249.40 down payment, the borough will split the remaining $7,997.60, along with a 16.05 percent interest charge that adds $544.30, over nine monthly payments of $949.10.
The quote says the borough can receive a refund of a portion of the finance charge if the premium is paid off early.
Turlis and borough Treasurer Paul Niglio could not be reached Thursday for further information about the policy, including whether the premium would decrease over time and whether the borough may be able to pay the premium in a lump sum or with fewer payments in the future to avoid the interest charge.
After Wilson's departure, the borough named Patrick McAndrew, who was employed as one of the part-time officers, as the officer-in-charge.