Solebury made some history Tuesday night when District Judge Maggie Snow swore in the township’s first full-time women police officers at the board of supervisors meeting.
Gina Ferzetti of Ridley and Megan Klosterman of Upper Dublin now bring Solebury’s police force to 15 officers, including Chief Dominick Bellizzie. Both of the new officers had served as part-time members of the police department.
Chief Bellizzie thanked Township Manager Dennis Carney, saying he “definitely stepped up to the plate” during the 2019 budget talks to push for funding for the two new officers.
As a longtime police officer, the chief did note that “I’ve never known a police department without women (officers).”
Judge Snow said she had worked with the two new officers in the past and “I don’t care if they’re women or not – they’re doing a great job.”
Officer Ferzetti, whose mother, Jean, held the Bible for the swearing in, graduated from Ridley High School in 2013. She joined the Bethel Township Police Department in early 2016 as a part-time officer and took a full-time position with the Temple University Police Department in October 2016. She joined the Solebury police as a part-time officer in February 2018.
Officer Klosterman, joined by her parents, Sue and Steve, at her swearing-in, is a 2013 graduate of Upper Dublin High School. She attended Penn State and graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice in 2015 at which time she completed her Act 120 certification at the Temple University Police Academy. She has been a part-time officer with Solebury since October 2017.
In other business, the supervisors unanimously passed an ordinance that regulates long- and short-term residential facilities, fraternity-sorority houses, medical offices, health clinics and wellness centers.
The supervisors also decided that starting in February the board will start its regular meetings at 6 p.m. instead of the current 7 p.m.
