The Gettysburg Borough Council its Monday night work session to explore changes to the police department’s command structure and consider updates to sidewalk and outdoor dining regulations, with both issues remaining unresolved as discussions continue.
A central topic was whether to create a new lieutenant position in the police department. The role, said council president Matt Moon, “would be between the chief of police and the sergeants,” adding another layer of supervision.
The idea is not new and has been recommended in multiple consultant reports. According to borough manager Charles Gable, two consultants “both independently arrived at the conclusion… that there needs to be an enhanced command structure in the police department.”
Officials said the change is driven in part by evolving staffing patterns. “We have been over time getting a younger and younger police force,” said Moon, adding that “the value of having ready access to supervision is valuable. ”The proposed position could also help with career development and retention by creating a clearer path for advancement within the department,” he said.
Moon said that if funding cannot be reallocated internally, taxpayers could bear the burden. “We would definitely be looking at a millage increase for this one position next year,”
Recruitment challenges also surfaced, with officials acknowledging that the department is not necessarily seen as a viable move for experience officers, mostly because it is not competitive with its pay rates. No vote was taken, and council members said the issue will be revisited, particularly as contract negotiations with the police union approach.
In a separate discussion, council reviewed possible changes to sidewalk regulations and outdoor dining policies, including permit fees and rules governing signs, seating and other items placed in public rights-of-way. Planning director John Whitmore said there had been 12 applications for outdoor dining in 2025, and that “not all of them were fulfilled. He said current policy aims to balance business activity with accessibility, “encouraging the establishment of outdoor dining areas… and providing vibrant enhancements to pedestrian businesses, while also ensuring mobility for all populations.
Council members expressed concerns about demands placed on local businesses, but acknowledged that accessibility requirements must be enforced.
The conversation also highlighted broader issues with the borough’s sidewalk ordinance, which officials described as complex and inconsistent. Moon said the job was difficult because the borough sidewalks contained about 10,000 squares and many were in poor repair. Moon said updating the ordinance will take time and would eventually include clearer rules, better enforcement and possible financial assistance for property owners responsible for repairs.
Both the police restructuring proposal and sidewalk revisions will return for further discussion in future meetings.
