Prior to the July 8 Bath Borough Council meeting, a celebration was held for the anniversary of police services provided by Pennsylvania State Police for Bath Borough. The event, which took place at borough hall, had light food and refreshments.

In attendance were Bath Mayor Fiorella Reginelli-Mirabito, council President Mark Saginario, the rest of council, three members of PSP Troop M, Bethlehem - Lt. Dennis Long, Sgt. Brian Roberts and Trooper Nathan Branosky - and numerous residents. Branosky is also assisting with the development of the Bath Neighborhood Watch.

PSP was created by Senate Bill 278, which was signed into law by then-Gov. Samuel Pennypacker May 2, 1905. Pennypacker probably never envisioned PSP providing total police services to Bath Borough.

Throughout Pennsylvania, boroughs have struggled with tight budgets that require difficult decisions. Bath, at one time, had its own police force. Over time, Bath’s police department became financially unsustainable. A past Bath council made the difficult decision to abandon the department and join Colonial Regional Police Department.

In 2017, the current Bath Borough Council faced an ominous 2018 budget deficit that, if not addressed, would have resulted in a large property tax hike. Among many difficult decisions taken, they made a unanimous vote and, with support of Reginelli-Mirabito, selected PSP to provide police services. This decision eliminated a $400,000-plus line in the borough’s budget.

PSP police services cost the Bath borough taxpayers nothing.

Both Reginelli-Mirabito and Saginario expressed their satisfaction with the PSP services provided. Long thanked the borough leaders for their cooperation and assistance to Troop M throughout the year. All look forward to another successful year working cooperatively to keep Bath Borough safe.

There was much friendship and fellowship on display at this gathering, which validated the Bath motto, “History Nestled with Friendship.”