CLEARFIELD – Bids for a new heating system at the Lawrence Township municipal building were opened and awarded during Monday’s regular meeting.
The township is converting from a coal heating system to gas. The bids were for electrical and mechanical work and one bid was received for each portion.
The mechanical bid was awarded to Montgomery Bros. Plumbing & Heating of Altoona at $38,000. The company has previously done work in Clearfield on the Clearfield YMCA and the new PennDOT building. The electrical bid of $12,976 was awarded to Clearfield Electric.
The owner of Montgomery Bros. said he would be able to begin work on Jan. 14.
The supervisors remind residents that any complaints made to the township must be in writing. Forms are available on the township Web site under code enforcement and also at the township office.
Under the police report, Chief Doug Clark said that despite the holiday with officers taking vacation days, etc., they were still able to have a good month in responding to incidents.
Clark said he will be sending another officer for training to become a field training officer. The training will be held in March in State College, sponsored by Penn State.
The supervisors also approved Clark moving forward with purchasing a new Ford Explorer Interceptor police vehicle.
Under the solicitor’s report, Solicitor James Naddeo asked the supervisors and secretary to look into the status of TR 601, Sam Graham Road.
He said in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s when Interstate 80 was constructed, the highway bisected the township road, which should have been vacated by the township.
He asked the supervisors to determine whether it has been vacated and to take care of the matter if it hasn’t.
He also responded to a concern raised by Code Enforcement Officer Debra Finkbeiner regarding holding conditional use hearings for timbering.
Finkbeiner said she has received comments from loggers and applicants regarding the hearings, stating that under state law they believe the hearings violate their rights.
Naddeo explained that under state law, the township is prohibited from restricting timbering. However, he has in the past suggested that the supervisors hold the hearings in order to review the permits and place any needed reasonable conditions, such as restricting the hours the trucks can haul logs on certain roads, as needed.
Naddeo said there is currently a case pending in the appellate court that challenges such hearings and until it is settled, he recommends continuing with the hearings. The supervisors will review the matter.
