Avalon, Ben Avon sign police contract

&emsp;&emsp;The boroughs of Avalon and Ben Avon have signed a contract that will have Avalon Police Department providing services to Ben Avon as of Jan. 1, 2025.&emsp;&emsp;Avalon will take over coverage of Ben Avon from the Ohio Township Police Department after officials of the latter two municipalities could not reach an agreement on what the service should cost. The contract with Avalon stipulates that Ben Avon will pay slightly over $80,000 more than it would have paid OT in 2025, but far less than the nearly $700,000 OT wanted the borough to pay by 2028, according to Ben Avon officials.&emsp;&emsp;The two-year Avalon-Ben Avon contract charges Ben Avon $380,000 for 2025, with a 3 percent increase per each year the contract is extended.&emsp;&emsp;Avalon Council approved the agreement during their recent finance committee meeting, while Ben Avon voted unanimously to approve the contract at their Dec. 17 meeting.