MAHONING TOWNSHIP Pa. rejects $100,000 plea, offers $15,000 for police

A new subdivision got preliminary approval.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- The state has turned down Mahoning Township's request for $100,000 from the Regional Police Assistance Grant Program to start a regional police department, offering $15,000 instead.
Township Supervisor Poncho Exposito said Tuesday he is exploring other public and private funding to establish a joint department with Pulaski Township.
Exposito noted that if funding does not come through, the township has the option of contracting with another municipality for police protection.
Past department
Mahoning had a police department several years ago, but discontinued it because of the cost. Supervisors want to re-establish one because of increasing traffic and crime concerns. They have stated that if a police department is launched, a tax increase will be needed to sustain it.
Treasurer Gil Lucarelli said he calculates that 1.25 mills would be needed, but that does not take into account the revenue the township would receive from fines.
Subdivision OK'd
In other business, supervisors approved a seven-lot residential subdivision on Mohawk School Road, a half-mile north of McClelland Road.
Thomas and Michenine Dickson, who own the property, said the lots range from two to six acres. They will be available for development once a base road is constructed by March or April, they said.
Those buying the property will have to build homes of a minimum 2,000 square feet. The subdivision was approved pending review by the township planning commission and Solicitor Tom Leslie.