LAWRENCE TWP.- Moving to standard time did not change when the Lawrence Township supervisors came to meet on Tuesday evening. Township manager, Ashley Pritchard, had a lot on the agenda for the evening, but at the top of her list of items was the hope of hiring a new solicitor.
During the October 21 meeting, she announced that she received a letter of resignation of then-solicitor, William Shaw Jr., after being in the position since February of 2022. Shaw cited his law firm was getting busier and he could not commit to the time necessary for the position.
On that night, supervisors voted to allow another few weeks of advertising for a new solicitor. Pritchard did request at the prior meeting to hire Larry Lashinsky, of Hollidaysburg, as she had already spoke with him and felt he was the right one for the position. Supervisors, in a 2-1 vote, elected to advertise the position in case other municipal attorneys wanted to send in letters of interest.
Tuesday’s meeting saw no other letters sent in, and supervisors voted to hire Lashinsky to the solicitor position.
Pritchard also announced at the latest budget workshop, the township was able to come to a balanced budget for 2026. Supervisors approved her motion to advertise the budget for review, with a potential adoption in December.
Supervisors started the night by opening the stone bids that were submitted, and voted to split the needs. Bucktail Excavating will provide 6s stone, while PSM will be providing the 67 limestone.
Other notes from Tuesday’s meeting:
- The sidewalk study will move forward, looking at areas that could potentially have a stop sign added. Areas included the intersection of Maple and Center, Turner and Morrison, along with Butler and Bud George Boulevard.
- The Working Foreman position will be posted out to bid to the members of the collective bargaining agreement.
- Supervisors passed a change in the equipment storage policy, noting that equipment can stay on-site for a three day period, however if the equipment is not used, it is to be returned to the storage shop. Jeremy Ruffner noted that they have experienced thefts from equipment in the past, so this would help maintain more control. Pritchard did note exceptions can be made to keep equipment out longer if necessary.
- The township’s IDIS account will be closed, as it has not been used in close to three years, and Pritchard took advice from financial officers in that they don’t see a reason to keep it.
- David Chnupa was approved to be appointed to the planning commission.
- Code Enforcement Officer, Agatha Lauder, will have the new supervisor review the zoning amendment before it is provided for the planning commission.
Supervisor Jeremy Ruffner spoke briefly on the Clearfield Regional Police Department, talking about how he has read on some social media about how the township is benefitting more from the combined departments. He called this a “half truth,” saying that the township was not getting a better deal.
“The township is continuing on pace to cover our portion of the police department, along with covering other items that are not necessarily covered by our allotment,” Ruffner said. “An example is the maintenance on the police vehicles, that’s not part of our allotment, but we do it because we support our police.”
He continued to encourage the neighbors in the borough to continue their support for the police department.
Township supervisors will return to session on November 18, beginning at 5 p.m.
