LAWRENCE COUNTY Permit applications still aren't on the Web

Officials hope to have the project done by year's end.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- A project intended to put all Lawrence County municipal permit applications on the Internet is taking far longer than organizers intended.
The project, which originated through the Lawrence County Council of Governments, was proposed by Tom Tulip of the Pennsylvania Economy League.
"He's a bit discouraged we haven't moved along," said Robert Callen, COG director, of Tulip.
COG members met Wednesday for their regular meeting, where Callen gave them an update of the project.
Left in limbo
More than 300 documents were collected for everything from building to rubbish burning permit applications, but the project was left in limbo when Lawrence County's information technology coordinator resigned.
His replacement has been trying to reach officials at the Pennsylvania Economy League to continue the project, but hasn't had any luck, said James Gagliano, Lawrence County planning director.
Callen said they hope to have the project completed by year's end.
The e-government project was proposed by Tulip in March and funded by a $10,000 grant from the Heinz Endowment. Economy League officials are hoping to extend the project to other municipalities.
It came out of a desire by Gagliano to create a countywide building permit application. Tulip and Gagliano were unable to create a uniform application for all municipalities but decided it would help to put all applications on the Internet.
Gagliano said people will be able to print the forms but still must physically deliver or mail them to the municipalities.
Tulip said 26 of Lawrence County's 27 municipalities participated. He said SNPJ did not participate but likely has no application forms. The community has fewer than 10 residents, according to the last U.S. Census.
cioffi@vindy.com