Mr. Ron Porter of the Lawrence Recreation Park board gave an update to the supervisors at last night’s Lawrence Township meeting. He informed the supervisors that the Rec Park board was able to obtain a $3,000 grant. The grant will be used to purchases benches for the Rec Park. One bench will be dedicated to Larry Putt, a founding member of the Rec Park board who passed away last December, another will be dedicated to Mr. Porter’s son who also passed away Christmas time last year and another bench will be dedicated to the Swisher Family.
Mr. Porter also asked the supervisors about ordering netting for a foul ball net. The supervisors agreed to look into what specific netting is needed for the project. The baseball diamond itself will be repaired in the spring.
Code Enforcement Officer Agatha Lauder presented a quote for an interactive zoning map for Lawrence Township that would give residents a quick resource not only on zoning but also what codes are enforced in their area of Lawrence Township. After looking over the quote, the supervisors decided to table the discussion until further research is done.
Secretary-Treasurer Bailey Flanagan presented a quote from Clearfield Exterminating to spray for small spiders that are invading the outside of the Lawrence Township building. The supervisors made a motion and accepted to use Clearfield Exterminating pending that the company can spray the inside of the building as well.
Ms. Flanagan also presented a quote for a 2 yard dumpster for the Lawrence Rec Park. Hugill Sanitation was $75 a month and D & G Sanitation was $219 every three months plus a $45 delivery fee. The supervisors made a motion to accept the quote from Hugill Sanitation.
Bailey Flanagan also turned in her resignation effective Dec 5th. Ms. Flanagan will be the secretary for the Clearfield Regional Police Department instead.
A motion was made and accepted to advertise the 2024 budget for the year and then an executive session was called for for personnel.
There was a little bit of a debate before the meeting ended about hiring a township manager. So far, only one applicant was received despite the job being listed on Indeed, in the Progress as well as Gant News. Lawrence Township Supervisor Randy Powell suggested that the ad be run again in the same places while adding the Altoona Mirror and Centre Daily Times to maybe obtain more than just one applicant.
Mr. Robert Long, a concerned Lawrence Township resident, stood and agreed with Mr. Powell that there should be more advertisement for the position. No motion was made to run the ad again and add the Altoona Mirror and Centre Daily Times for advertising.
Two residents that live around the iron bridge area of Lawrence Township expressed their concern to the Lawrence Township supervisors about heavy drug activity in their area. People are leaving drug paraphernalia behind as well as trash between and at the foot of the driveway of the residents’ properties.
Assistant Chief Julie Curry spoke to the concerned residents after the meeting adjourned to go into an executive session about personnel.