CLEARFIELD – Getting ground water infiltration out of the sanitary sewer system topped the Lawrence Township Supervisors’ meeting Tuesday night.
Dave Stiffler of Stiffler McGraw Engineers spoke to the board about how the Clearfield Municipal Authority is pushing the township to get these issues resolved before the deadline of Sept. 1 imposed by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
He said they have a plan he thinks will work given time. Right now there are 55 homes that need to be checked to make sure they have complied with the township’s letter regarding extraneous water coming from the homes, usually due to submersible pumps or French drains.
The township and its engineer have been hoping that DEP will grant a requested extension. Stiffler said he believes they would get everything completed if they had the extra year; however, DEP has indicated they will not give the extension.
Later Supervisor Randy Powell explained to the media that DEP does not want to give an extension to just the township but to all three entities involved—the township, CMA and Clearfield Borough—or none at all.
Both Solicitor James Naddeo and Code Enforcement Officer Debra Finkbeiner said there has been a good response to letters directing homeowners to make needed corrections to their laterals, but some residents have raised concerns regarding the cost to fix problems.
During public comment, resident Gigi Gearhart asked about the money the police department brings in with fines, etc. She asked how that money is being used and whether any of it could be applied to the police pension fund deficit.
Police Chief Doug Clark says the money, including donations to the department, have been used to upgrade equipment, including new computers at the office and in the patrol vehicles, new cameras, a new patrol car and so on.
Donations only cover a portion of that cost. “We’re playing catch up,” he said.
Gearhart asked if they are able to add radar guns to their equipment and Clark explained that Pennsylvania is the only state that only allows state police to use radar.
He said it comes up in the General Assembly regularly and passes in the Senate but always dies in the House. There is a bill in the House now and Gearhart suggested residents should contact Tommy Sankey’s and Matt Gabler’s offices and ask them to vote for the bill.
During his report, Clark said the new patrol car should be delivered by the end of the week. He also said he would be presenting the supervisors with information on purchasing a new shredder for the police department at the next meeting.
Naddeo presented the supervisors with the amended zoning ordinance for adoption. The supervisors scheduled a public hearing on another series of amendments to zoning for July 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Roadmaster Ron Woodling reminds residents to slow down if they see road crews out, even if they do not have men working signs posted.
He said they often stop for short projects and turn on the yellow hazard lights on the truck and drivers speed by, putting the employees in danger.
The supervisors accepted the retirement letter of Rick Turner, who will retire July 6, and after an executive session approved advertising for summer road crew help.
Under the secretary’s report, the supervisors approved a bid for tar and chipping from Suit-Kote for $49,872.
Supervisor Jeremy Ruffner said the township has received complaints about dog owners not cleaning up after their dogs in the Recreation Park.
There are bags and garbage cans available for the purpose. He said they don’t want to tell people they cannot bring their dogs to the park and asked residents to remember to clean up after their animals.
