Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published November 11, 2025 2:55 P.M.

(Pulaski Township, Pa) Residents filled the Pulaski Township firehall Monday night to voice their opinions against a proposed contract to switch police departments.

The subject has been ongoing for the last few months with community members in support of retaining the New Brighton Police Department.

Despite strong opposition from the community and the New Brighton Police, the township supervisors continued to explore the possibility. Community members previously suggested that the decision should be left to the community, with a vote in the spring.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, residents once again took turns stating why they did not like the idea of switching to the approximately 2 year old Beaver Valley Regional Police Department, which covers multiple other municipalities in the county. The department would likely have a longer response time than nearby New Brighton as a result.

As the community members continued to voice their opinions, the supervisors cut short the public from continuing to comment and Supervisor Mark Wagle briefly spoke about tabling the matter before the board ultimately decided to take an immediate vote.

The supervisors voted 2-1 in favor of accepting the contract with Beaver Valley Regional. Zachondi and Wagle voted yes, while Supervisor Ralph Flara was the singular no.

Following the vote, Chairman Casey Zachondi referenced a personal situation in which he felt the New Brighton Police Department let him down in the past. Community members followed the vote by walking out.

Officers of both the New Brighton and Beaver Valley Departments were also in attendance. New Brighton officers asked Beaver Valley Regional multiple questions, including concerns over their price stated in the contract changing. The supervisors stated that the contract with Beaver Valley would save them around $10,000.

Residents say they are still gathering signatures for a petition to take a public vote in the spring, hoping to be able to reverse the descion.

A big focus throughout the entire ordeal has been the New Brighton Elementary and High School, which is located in Pulaski.

Our previous coverage of this story can be read here: https://beavercountyradio.com/news/pulaski-township-residents-voice-opposition-to-joining-new-police-department/