(5/27) Liberty Supervisors dispute conflict of interest

During the May 22 Supervisors workshop meeting, Liberty Township Supervisors discussed matters pertaining to conflicts of interest seen amongst Supervisors.

At the regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting held earlier in the month Supervisor John Bostek raised concern over fellow Supervisor Mickey Barlow working on and revising the township’s employee handbook a few years ago, when he himself is a township employee. "That is a conflict of interest," stated Bostek,

"and he also should not have voted on that matter." Furthermore, it was pointed out that Supervisor Bob Jackson is also a township employee and therefore shouldn’t vote on certain matters due to a conflict of interest. "I’m unsure how we are to determine anything because there will be two working supervisors on the future council," noted Bostek.

Township Solicitor John Lisko mentioned that there is a special exception for three member boards in which employees will have to publicly announce and disclose the nature of their interest and submit a handwritten memorandum stating the conflict of interest due to their employment by the township.

During the workshop meeting, Supervisors disputed over what may constitute a conflict of interest. Employees who are part time employed by the township were asked to sign the document, which was a declaration of conflict of interest for working supervisors. Lisko advised Supervisors to take the most cautious approach, stating for those who may be subject to the employee manual, in this particular case, should submit a conflict of interest.

Supervisors will re-visit this topic in June, after Supervisors have the chance to look over the document with their personal attorneys.

Criminal charges not filed against Shaffer

The latest news regarding the LeeEsta Shaffer investigation seems to be in disfavor of the township. After months of waiting Liberty Township finally received correspondence from the District Attorney’s office in regards to a decision not to criminally prosecute past Secretary LeeEsta Shaffer.

In response to the letter Supervisors convened to an executive session to discuss the matter, and came out of the session with a vote to send a letter drafted by special Council to this investigation, Zachary Mills, to the District Attorney’s Office. Supervisor Bob Jackson voted against sending the letter.

News has not yet been received in regards to the specifics of either letter from the District Attorney’s Office or the township’s response to the matter. Further news regarding this investigation will follow.

Carroll Valley approves duck crossing signs

Carroll Valley Borough Council members voted to approve signs to alert drivers of the presence of waterfowl, specifically ducks, on the north side of Lake Kay. The approval of these "duck crossing" signs were brought to the board for reconsideration by a resident of the borough who has seen countless numbers of waterfowl killed along the road by vehicles unaware of their presence.

This topic had been brought to the attention of the Council several years ago by the same resident, but the Council, at that time, chose to vote against the installation of these warning signs. Borough Manager Dave Hazlett estimated each sign to cost $100-$150, and would be placed at the north end of Lake Kay, one on each side of the road.

Council member Richard Matthews made a motion to approve two signs in addition to asking for more police coverage at that particular section of the lake to monitor speedy drivers. After disputes from other Council members in regards to using officers to monitor speedy drivers to protect the waterfowl, the motion was revised to exclusively install the signs. The motion was carried with one member against. Police Chief Richard Hileman stated that he would try to have officers patrol the area in question for speedy drivers more often.