CLEARFIELD – Lawrence Township entered into an agreement with Pine Township during yesterday’s meeting to share resources, specifically township tax collector Kelly McCracken.
Pine Township Supervisor David Johnson explained that his township has 38 registered voters and it is hard to get people to serve in the various township positions. McCracken has already agreed to take on Pine Township’s tax collection.
The matter was reviewed by both Pine and Lawrence townships’ solicitors.
McCracken also submitted a request to have Mark McCracken appointed as deputy tax collector, which was approved.
Police Chief Doug Clark noted that police statistics continue to rise. A new part-time officer has been hired and will start Jan. 29. Kyle Bish will train under Field Training Officer Zachary Cowan.
Clark also thanked several organizations and individuals who have donated to the police force recently.
These include the Elks Club, Eagles Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Bud’s Electric, RES, Clearfield Metals, the owners of the After Dark Club, Don Shaw and the Grice family.
After an executive session, the supervisors approved two weeks of vacation for Clark per the original contract of hire. The matter will be revisited at the 2019 reorganization meeting.
Code Enforcement Officer Debra Finkbeiner reminds residents that the township needs cooperation from property owners to help solve the inflow and infiltration problems in the township.
Areas where problems have been showing up include Clarendon, Country Club, Dairy, Highview, Joseph, Lawrence, Legion, Meadow, Overlook, Parkview, Powell, Robinson, Village, Warren and Washington.
Residents are also reminded that property in the township connected to the public sewer system must be smoke tested before it can be transferred to another owner, which is required by ordinance.
The township is still looking for another board member for the planning commission. Karen Potts was appointed to one of the vacant seats, but another seat is still open. Those interested should submit a letter of interest to the township.
Supervisor Jeremy Ruffner informed the board that he reviewed 9-1-1 Center statistics for the township and police incidents for 2015 were 4,866; for 2016 were 5,217 and for 2017 for 6,831.
He said this indicates that police effectiveness is increasing. Also, the fire department responded to 545 incidents last year and 660 in 2016.
Finally, the supervisors approved purchase of a file server for the police department at a cost of $3,103 and approved Clark purchasing a new patrol car for the department.