MAHONING TWP. Supervisors seek grants, donations to pay for part-time police officer

Action was delayed on hiring a code enforcement officer.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- Mahoning Township supervisors are seeking government grants and donations from local businesses to fund a part-time police officer position.
Supervisor Poncho Exposito said chances are "pretty good" that one will be hired next year.
The township has not employed its own police officer for at least 10 years and has been relying on the Pennsylvania State Police.
Exposito has said in the past that this has sometimes meant a 35-minute wait for police to arrive at an accident scene.
Traffic is a concern because Mahoning Township takes in a busy section of U.S. Route 224 between Poland and the growing commercial district in Union Township.
Another matter: Supervisors heard a request by Bob Callen, director of the Lawrence County Regional Council of Governments, for a pledge of financial support to hire a code enforcement officer to be shared by several municipalities.
Supervisors support the idea but delayed action until they know how many other municipalities will participate.
Callen explained that 12 of 22 municipalities in the Council of Governments are interested. He has been authorized by the COG board to apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for a $25,000 grant to fund the position.
The grant would require a $25,000 match by COG municipalities.
He explained that the hiring would help them comply with a statewide building code passed last year, which requires municipalities to inspect all new construction.
Callen said the grant is renewable for a maximum of three years and said he hopes that after that time, the position would pay for itself though inspection fees.
The grant application will be filed by February, with a decision expected late in the spring and hiring hoped for in late summer.
Resignation: Supervisors accepted the resignation of their own code enforcement officer, Mike Clark. Exposito said Clark, who was paid per inspection, has been unable to do the job for some time.
Supervisors took no action on finding a replacement until they decide whether to reserve their code enforcement budget allotment for the COG effort.
Supervisors hired Phillip Weiner and Co. to audit the township books and agreed to let Bessemer borough erect signs warning of a 17-ton load limit on Bessemer-Hillsville Road.
They also authorized sending letters supporting Pennsylvania-American Water Company's grant application to extend waterlines this spring to the northeast part of the township.
Affected will be the north Edinburg area, Matthews, Palmer, Sankey Run, Harbor-Edinburg and Zoccoli Roads, and Routes 551 and Rt. 422 to the harbor.
Water company employees will be collecting water samples from residents in those areas and will be uniformed and carry identification.
Residents should call the municipal building if they have concerns.