Frackville council approves $15k payment to former police chief

FRACKVILLE – Borough Council here approved a severance payment of more than $15,000 to their recently-fired police chief Thursday evening.

Council approved the payment to Paul Olson by a 4-2 vote. Council members Brian Russell and Stephen Tertel voted no. Vice President Charlie Berger was absent.

The agreement includes a payment of $15,425.21 to the former police chief, accounting for 78 hours of vacation time, 42 hours of personal time, and 513 hours of sick time.

The embattled chief was fired last month in the fallout of an alleged wrongful arrest and imprisonment. According to Coal Region Canary, Olson was involved in the bench warrant arrest of a Joshua Lindenmuth in Gilberton, arresting a man by the same name who was not wanted.

Olson filed suit earlier this month.

Council discussed the matter in executive session Monday, according to the meeting agenda.

In other police-related business, council accepted the resignation of Patrolman Bryce Dragna effective Jan. 24.

The borough is seeking applications for full-time police officers. Applications are being accepted through 5pm Feb. 6.

Council also approved preparing and advertising an ordinance regulating off-highway recreational vehicles in the borough.

Micquelynn Kapuschinsky contributed to this report.

The article Frackville council approves $15k payment to former police chief first appeared on The Shenandoah Sentinel.