Officer intervenes in West York council debate

West York will be getting a new borough building, but the decision didn't come without a heated debate — with a police officer intervening — on Monday night.

Council members voted 3-3 to buy the former Grace E. Loucks Elementary School at 1381 W Poplar St. for $200,000 for a new borough office and police station. Mayor Charles Wasko broke the tie vote in favor of purchasing the property.

Some members of council got into a heated exchange about the building during the meeting, according to a CBS 21 video. Council member Brian Wilson alleged the three members who voted against buying the building — Council President Shelley Metzler, Vice President Nicholas Laughman and Mary Wagner — are part of an organization that is interested in it.

Four historic York buildings renovated

Laughman, who had earlier questioned how the borough was going to pay for the former school without raising taxes, responded angrily. saying the borough was "going to pay all this money for a freaking building" and the utilities to run it. The heated exchange continued to the point where a police officer had to step in between Laughman and the mayor who confronted each other, the video showed.

Laughman said the nonprofit organization BARK had looked at leasing some space in the former school, but that's not why he voted against buying the building.

He said he agrees the current borough building isn't adequate, but the borough hasn't explored other options, such renovations or other properties. Nor did the council have a town hall meeting to discuss the idea with residents.

"This is taxpayers money we are using for the place," he said.

Laughman said his wife, who was in the audience, made reference to a previous confrontation between the mayor and Laughman.  That's when the mayor pointed his finger at her and stood up. A police officer stepped in to prevent the mayor from going into the gallery. Laughman said that's why he stood up, and the officer moved in between the two of them.

Wasko, Metzler and Wagner could not be reached for comment. Annette Christine was not present at the council meeting Monday night.

Despite some "poor behavior" and "poor choices" on behalf of some borough council members, "I am proud of the deal we were able to broker and get approved," said Shawn Mauck, a councilman in favor of buying the property.

2011 West York rape suspect in custody

Mauck said the borough had explored other options, but they were not cost effective. The council chose to move forward with negotiations with the school district. He added that some employees have been unhappy with the conditions in the current building.

Mauck says the borough is getting a great deal. The fair market value of the former school, owned by the West York Area School District, is $495,000.

The borough needs a new building for its employees and police department. It will offer better storage and would be more centralized for the municipality. Mauck said the borough has worked on finding savings in other areas to help pay for it.

"I think at the end of the day, it will help to bring our community together," Mauck said.

The current borough office at 1700 West Philadelphia Street will be put up for sale. It has served its purpose and is no longer viable, said Wilson, who also voted in favor of buying the building.