Chief Wins Approval for Record Storage System

Squeezed into small rooms on the first floor of Borough Hall, the Hellertown Police Department has long had to deal with storage issues. Without the ability to relocate headquarters, those issues won't disappear any time soon, Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council April 4.

Shupp addressed council regarding his department's storage needs in an effort to win approval to purchase a new filing system he says will save space and function better than yet another filing cabinet.

"I think we have to start looking at ways...to manage our space better," Shupp said.

The cost of the new filing system is $3,300, but the money needed to make the purchase is already part of the department's capital budget, he added.

The alternative to buying the filing system--which is available at a discount because it is under state contract--is to buy another filing cabinet, and Shupp said there is no room for one anyway.

"(Storage) is an issue for us," he told council. "We have to do something."

Another benefit of the filing system is that it's movable, which means that if the department ever does relocate out of Borough Hall, the entire system can move with it, Shupp said.

Mayor Richard Fluck voiced support for Shupp's proposal, and council approved authorization for the purchase unanimously.