Commissioners forming panel to hire Lawrence Co. fiscal officer

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners are putting together a panel to help find a new fiscal officer for the county.
Commissioner Steve Craig suggested each commissioner find a retired accountant, banker or some other fiscal officer to give an objective look at the more than 60 applicants for the job.
Commissioners agreed last month to create a fiscal position that would assist county Administrator Charleen Micco with the budget and daily fiscal activities.
Micco said about 67 r & eacute;sum & eacute;s had been received, with more coming daily. The position will pay somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 annually.
Commissioner Dan Vogler said they hope to have the committee formed by next week and interviews start in the next few weeks.
In other business, commissioners are expected to vote Tuesday on two land acquisitions for right-of-way property for the new Ewing Park Bridge in Ellwood City.
Loccisano Brothers Inc. is expected to get $11,050 and Ellwood City Hospital will get $3,500.
Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said one more right-of-way acquisition is being negotiated.
Commissioners noted all of the money will be reimbursed to the county by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Officials expect to put out bids for the new bridge in June and have the old structure closed by summer's end.