MAHONING TOWNSHIP Supervisors OK hiring of part-time officer

The joint police department began operating Oct. 1.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- Mahoning Township supervisors have approved the hiring of another part-time police officer for the new joint Mahoning/Pulaski Township police department.
Justin Houk of Butler County is currently employed as a Butler County deputy sheriff and also as a police officer in Mars borough. He is a veteran and served in Iraq.
The hiring, approved by Mahoning supervisors Tuesday, also will have to be approved by Pulaski Township supervisors. If that is done, Houk will be sworn in at the December meeting, Police Chief Jim Morris said.
The hiring would bring the force to four part-timers and two full-timers. It is possible another part-timer might be hired, Morris said after the meeting.
He said he expects to have round-the-clock police coverage before the end of the year.
He added that the transition to the joint police department has gone smoothly, and police have been busy enforcing speed limits and making traffic stops.
The department, called Northwest Lawrence Regional Police Department, began Oct. 1.
Other matters
Morris, who also serves as Mahoning Township code enforcement officer, told supervisors that he is continuing his inspection of the first section of the township for compliance with township codes. The area includes the north side of U.S. Route 422.
He also said he has filed criminal charges for nuisance vehicles against the owner of a property on Garner Road, which has long been the subject of residents' complaints. Solicitor Thomas Leslie also will file a civil complaint against the property owner for debris which is not covered under the criminal ordinance, Morris added.
In other business, supervisors heard a report from RAR Engineering of New Castle that the old school property in Edinburg is contaminated with asbestos.
Supervisors will have to decide what to do about cleanup before they decide whether to give the property to a local veterans group that wants it for a memorial.
Supervisors also appointed Philip Weiner & amp; Co., New Castle, to audit the township's 2004 books.
Supervisor Chairman Gary Pezzuolo reported the township bought a used surplus highlift loader from the state for $14,250. It will be stationed at the fire station on Baird Road so trucks don't have to drive all the way back to the municipal building for salt.
Supervisors also will attend an upcoming state auction of used equipment to look for a street sweeper to replace one that is worn out. They authorized spending up to $7,000 on the purchase.