Commissioners to buy three parcels of property

Commissioners also approved contracts with several lawyers.

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Lawrence County commissioners said they plan to buy three lots across from the courthouse.

They transferred money at their meeting earlier this week to pay New Visions, a New Castle nonprofit group, $5,000 for three lots that add up to less than a half-acre. Commissioner Steve Craig said the lots, which are on County Line Street, will be used for parking.

They also approved contracts with several attorneys. These included $17,000 for Augustine Leone Jr. to provide legal services as a court- appointed Mental Health Review Officer; a $75-per-hour contract with David Henderson to provide legal services as the court-appointed custody master; and $21,000 apiece for Robert DiBuono, Larry Puntureri and Deborah Shaw to provide legal services as court-appointed counsel for juvenile cases; and $21,000 each for Brian Levine, William Panella, Joseph Kearney, Brandt Bythrow and Brad Olsen to provide legal services as court-appointed counsel for criminal cases excluding murder. All the contracts are for the 2010 calendar year.

They also approved making application to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to construct a boat launch near the Nashua Bridge in Pulaski Township. Lawrence County Planning Director Amy McKinney said the launch is the latest in a series of efforts to provide launching spots along the Beaver/Shenango Water Trail.

Commissioner Steve Craig said the launches help recreational boaters as well as providing access to the waterway for emergency crews when there is a water accident. Commissioners stipulated that the boat-launch work cannot delay the bridge project.

Commissioners also renewed an $11,000 contract with Richard Peterson of New Castle as an independent contractor to provide supervisory maintenance services on an as-needed basis for 2010. Peterson’s rate remains the same as this year.