Mayor Royer discusses a potential new headquarters for the Waynesboro Police Department in the May interview
By Robb Helfrick
Mayor Dade Royer sat down for a monthly chat with The Daily Boro on May 8, 2026. He discussed updates on the Waynesboro Police Department, recent meetings and civic activities, and other local observations leading up to Memorial Day.
Potential New Home for the Police Department
The first subject Mayor Royer mentioned was the process that could potentially relocate the Waynesboro Police Department’s headquarters. WPD currently operates out of Borough Hall, but a recent agreement signed by Waynesboro officials announced the intention to purchase the former Citizens Bank Building, now home to the “Counting House” events venue located on the Waynesboro square.
“I’m hopeful,” Royer said about the potential police station site, “but we have to go through the process.” That course includes a 180-day due diligence period. During this time, before the sale can be finalized, the borough will utilize inspectors and engineers to evaluate the building’s structural condition and readiness for conversion into a law enforcement facility.
The borough has considered several options to alleviate the crowded conditions at Borough Hall, which was originally constructed in 1880 as the “Academy of Music” and not for law enforcement purposes. “Finding a new home for the police department has been in the works for several years, even before I was on the borough council,” Royer said. “This building may be the solution, but we still have a couple of steps to take.”
After the inspections are completed, those consulting partners will issue a report for the council’s consideration. “We want to make sure we have all the information so the council can make the right decision,” Royer said.
The handsome stone building has been an architectural treasure since it first appeared on Main Street. “It’s a beautiful building, there’s no other like it in town,” the mayor said. “You can’t build a building like that anymore.” The structure’s thick walls were designed to keep people out. Royer noted that even the former bank’s main skylight has bars. Those same security features would assist the WPD in the opposite capacity, by keeping lawbreakers safely incarcerated inside if the building is eventually converted for that usage.
The property includes two storefronts on its east side and a usable basement space. “It’s a huge building,” Royer said. “It’s also a great location and more than the size that we need.” He sees potential for future growth, and the property offers plenty of parking.
Mayor Royer also envisioned the image that the new police station would project. “I like the building’s downtown presence; it shows the community the importance of policing, and if they need us, we’re there.”,
Royer also mentioned that it would be preferable to keep the police headquarters centrally located. “We have such a vibrant downtown.” He credited the Waynesboro Arts Alliance and Mainstreet Waynesboro as key organizations that have fostered the recent cultural renaissance along Main Street. “There’s really good energy downtown,” Royer said. “That takes a lot of work, but it’s great to see it happening.”
When asked whether he would move his office, along with the WPD, Mayor Royer said that as the chief law enforcement officer, he needed to be in proximity to Police Chief Ramsey and his officers. The Mayor would relocate to the new headquarters with his team. Offices for other Waynesboro government departments would stay at Borough Hall, freeing up more space for those local officials.
Royer said those arrangements were moot until the building’s final sale was authorized. A public meeting would be held first to assess the building’s condition. Later, other architectural details would be hashed out, which would include soliciting budget estimates for converting the former bank building into police use. “One step at a time,” the mayor said.
However, Royer mentioned that the borough will eventually need to decide and move forward with its police and fire departments. Both agencies need new homes. “If you put it off, it will keep getting more expensive,” Royer said. “Costs will not go down. In a town of 11,000 people, we need fire and police protection, and we have to finance that. I wouldn’t want to live in an area without a resident police force.”
Reflecting on how working within a budget is a constant balancing act for local government, Royer said: “We’ve done a really good job of staying within our means.” He reminded that the borough hasn’t raised taxes for a few years. “That’s really difficult to do with increasing costs.”
Other Law Enforcement and Mayoral Issues
Mayor Royer said the process for hiring three new police officers was proceeding on schedule. The trio would be properly vetted and enter the Police Academy training in July. However, he noted that “You always have to be recruiting.” Royer mentioned that a police retirement may be pending in 2027, but he was also thankful that the borough’s officers rarely left the force once they joined the staff.
Overall, Royer was enthused about the current status of the police department. “We have a really good team. I’m thankful for the progress we’ve made, and we’re ahead of where I thought we’d be.” He mentioned the success of acquiring drones as another positive development for local law enforcement.
In April, Royer took part in Franklin County’s quarterly Mayor’s conference, which meets in Chambersburg. The Mayors of Greencastle, Mercersburg, Mont Alto, Chambersburg, Shippensburg, and Waynesboro discussed how they can collaborate on a variety of subjects. “We talk about common issues and shared goals,” Royer said.
Chambersburg’s Police Chief Meredith Dominick delivered a presentation to the assembled mayors at that conference. Drug and crime prevention were key topics. “It was a good conversation,” Royer said. “I’m glad we work together.”
Recent Community Events and Waynesboro Memories
Mayor Royer attended the Rotary Park dedication on Arbor Day, which celebrated the park’s designation as Waynesboro’s first arboretum. “It’s a beautiful park, another gem in our community.” Royer noted that designing an arboretum takes planning and foresight. “They did a good job with the layout and the trees. It will be a great learning tool in the future.” The mayor read a proclamation at the ceremony that detailed the town’s pride in the park’s achievement.
Regarding the Rotary Club (the organization that created Rotary Park), Royer said the club recently met at Main Street Park and received a tour of the new downtown building project now underway.
Mainstreet Waynesboro’s Bill Kohler hosted the event. He explained how the park was designed and previewed the exciting plans for the new building at 21 E. Main Street. “It will be an economic driver for downtown,” Royer said. The building’s exterior shell appears complete, and interior construction is expected to start soon. “When it’s finished, it will be a great addition to our community,” the mayor said.
Royer thought back to bygone days, when the park and building site were home to the “Men’s Shop” and the “Douglas Bakery.” He recalled renting tuxedos from that men’s clothing store and also buying Orioles tickets there. Now, that site will serve new purposes, and Mayor Royer gave credit to Bill Kohler for his energy and ideas.
That trip down memory lane continued when the Northside Pool renovation came into the conversation. “I was a lifeguard there back in the 70s,” Royer said. The mayor said the project was on schedule and expected to be completed soon, just in time for the summer season.
When asked if he had attended any Little League games this season, Royer said he expected to do so soon. His grandson was on the undefeated American Legion championship team last year, but now has grown out of that league. Royer glanced at a baseball trophy on a nearby office shelf. “I was 11 when we won that, and can still remember my teammates from that Moose team.”
Also in April, Royer attended Renfrew’s Opening Day with his wife and grandchildren. The event is meaningful to his family, since his ancestors once lived on that pastoral property. “We had a picnic with our three grandkids. We also took a house tour, went inside the new grist mill, and walked around the property. It was a really nice event. The board and Ashley (Renfrew’s Executive Director) have done a wonderful job.”
Looking forward to Memorial Day events, Mayor Royer said he would ride in the parade, but let others deliver speeches at the Memorial Park ceremonies. “Parades are good for community spirit.”
However, Royer mentioned a current issue that most residents may not realize is a problem: the lack of flaggers for parades and public events. The job is important and requires a certification. “Flaggers have to be trained so they know about traffic safety and proper procedures,” Royer noted.
That flagger shortage has made future parade/event cancellations a real possibility. Royer said training programs are scheduled soon. He encouraged citizens to contact the borough about volunteering for this vital responsibility. “Safety is our chief concern at these public events, and we have to do it right.”
Mayor Royer gave a preview of the next council meeting scheduled for May 20, saying he planned to recognize citizens for their charitable and athletic deeds.
A program that will likely be discussed is the refurbishing of old bicycles collected over the past year. The plan is to fix up the bikes through a local church and give them to children at the New Hope Shelter. “We hope this is an ongoing program,” Royer said, “it’s a nice benefit for the kids.”
