CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough Council held its October voting meeting Wednesday evening with agenda items including police matters, grants and upcoming events.
Under the police report, Assistant Police Chief Julie Curry said Clearfield Regional police have been working hard to acquire grant funding to alleviate some of the burden on Clearfield Borough and Lawrence Township.
Recently she said Lawrence Township was awarded a Local Share Account (LSA) grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) totaling $546,890 for renovations to the department’s existing building, which is within the township’s municipal building.
It was also noted that Officer Quentin Neff with the Clearfield Regional police was nominated for and will receive the Pennsylvania Top Gun Award through the Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association.
The award, which will be presented during a formal ceremony in November, honors law enforcement officers from around the commonwealth for their extraordinary efforts in removing impaired drivers from roadways.
Following her report, Curry was asked why officers haven’t been as visible lately in the Downtown Clearfield area since police coverage was expected to increase with the regionalization of the two local police forces.
Curry said the department has really been struggling with staffing.
“It is a little bit on the short side right now, and then we have the end of the year, which is always a staffing issue with people using up vacation time,” she said.
“And so, some of our shifts are shorter than what we would like them to be.” Plus, with the warmer weather in recent weeks, “we have been incredibly busy” between response to calls and incident paperwork.
Curry said they are hoping to bring a few more officers on to help alleviate the issue.
Residents are reminded that Thursday night is Trick-or-Treat from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. for both Clearfield Borough and Lawrence Township.
Residents wishing to participate and receive visitors should leave their porch lights on. Motorists and pedestrians are encouraged to use caution and be safe.
Council also approved road closures, beginning at 3 p.m. Dec. 7 for the Clearfield YMCA’s annual Christmas parade.
The route will go from Third Street to Cherry Street, then to Second Street and finish on Locust Street. Market Street, from Second to Third streets, will also need to be closed for the parade.
It approved the Clearfield Revitalization Corp.’s annual Community Tree Lighting event at Lower Witmer Park on Dec. 7, from 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The closure of Leavy Avenue (from South Second Street to Power Avenue) was also approved for the American Legion Post No. 6 Veteran’s Day Service on Nov. 11, at 11 a.m.
Council approved a resolution to apply for one LSA grant for street improvements/paving on Chester Street in the amount of $85,646, as well as a resolution to apply for a second LSA grant for a 2025 F600 dump truck in the amount of $120,665.
It also approved a resolution to apply for a PennDOT multi-modal grant for street improvements/paving for Phase I on South Fourth Street, between Market and Cherry streets, in the amount of $340,719, with a 30 percent match.
Finally council will advertise for a full-time street department position. Street Foreman Todd Kling noted that the position wasn’t new but just an open spot on his borough crew.
Council will reconvene on Thursday, Nov. 7, at 5:30 p.m. for its committee meeting.
