Concerns about police coverage and a lack of new hires, including a police chief, came to the forefront again in Lansford, as the borough deals with a federal lawsuit filed by an officer.

Council voted 3-2 against reading a statement regarding the federal lawsuit prepared by the borough’s solicitor, Bob Yurchak, who was not in attendance.

Those voting against reading the statement were the three council members not named in the lawsuit, filed by Gilbert Diaz who served as a part-time officer in the borough.

Diaz, who also applied for the position of police chief, claimed that he was denied due process when removed from the police schedule earlier this year.

Named as defendants in the suit are Mayor Hugh Vrablic, Sgt. Shawn Nunemacher, and council members George Gilbert, Joseph Butrie, Jack Soberick and Jennifer Staines.

The council members not named in the lawsuit, Bruce Markovich, Gwyneth Collevechio and Michele Bartek, voted against reading the statement prepared by Yurchak.

Two of the council members named the suit, Staines and Butrie, were in the minority. Soberick and Gilbert were absent from Wednesday’s meeting.

Markovich pointed out that Yurchak does not want to represent the borough in the federal lawsuit, and the borough has no representation in the suit, either, he said.

“He made it clear to us he doesn’t want to be involved with this,” Markovich said. “We have to wait to see what the third insurance company tells us, and then we’ll take it from there.”

Markovich said two insurance companies that the borough has policies which have denied coverage for this lawsuit. The borough is waiting to hear from a third to see if they’ll be covered and provide them with an attorney, he said.

Yurchak is also appealing the denial of coverage from one of the two other insurance companies, Markovich said.

The lawsuit is also dictating decisions regarding police hiring, including hiring a chief.

Gilbert, who could not attend Wednesday’s meeting due to an unanticipated work conflict, withdrew his motions regarding police hiring and the hiring of a police chief from the agenda before the meeting.

He provided the Times News with the following statement regarding the hiring of the police chief.

“Based on legal advice provided by the attorney consulted by Council President Markovich, I will be withdrawing my motion to hire a police chief,” he wrote. “Moving forward, I will review and follow the legal advice offered as I believe it is in the best interest of the community and council members that we are aligned in decisions in the best interest of the community.

“While I may have personal views on this matter, I will respect the guidance of our attorneys and the collective directions of my peers,” Gilbert wrote.

“Moving forward, I remain committed to making decisions that are fair, transparent and grounded in sound legal counsel for the benefit of the people of Lansford,” he said, thanking residents for their support.

Gilbert did not state who he was putting forth as the next police chief. However, Markovich said that Sgt. Nunemacher, who is the officer in charge and named in the suit, was the candidate put forth by Gilbert and withdrawn.

Residents who raised concerns about police coverage and backup for officers on duty, questioned whether there was a hiring freeze on police.

“We were advised of certain things, and some of them because of this we cannot discuss yet,” Bartek said. “When we are able to tell the public, we will.”

Markovich didn’t think the lawsuit affected the borough’s ability to hire police officers. Only the chief was affected.

Markovich hoped the borough would be able to hire an officer full-time later this month at a special meeting.

Adding to the strife, Vrablic read a letter from part-time officer Randy Schlatter, who is not accepting hours due to medical issues, in which he relates a conversation with Bartek, who colorfully criticized the borough’s two full-time officers.

“This is what I’ve been dealing with, folks,” Vrablic said, adding that this is what Bartek, who chairs the borough’s public safety committee, thinks of the police department and officers.

Bartek denied making any such statements against Nunemacher or officer Josh Tom and pointed out that she has fought to get officers equipment and improve conditions for them.

Vrablic explained that he didn’t come forward sooner, because he had to investigate the allegations first with borough employees who heard the conversation.

But tempers flared among those attending, including the mother of another part-time officer who demanded an apology from Bartek, council members and the mayor, who got up and left.

“I’m leaving because she’s attacking me,” Vrablic said as he walked out.

Markovich said he wanted a copy of the letter and that he would also like to verify what was said.