Old Lycoming Township. KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Residents of Old Lycoming Township asked the supervisors for clarity on issues and shared comments about the direction of the township’s new leadership at the monthly meeting recently.

The lingering contention stems from the township’s divided opinions on last year’s police regionalization vote and the resignation of key employees since June, including the manager and two board members.

Tuesday’s meeting was a discussion primarily about the zoning officer’s position. The supervisors unanimously appointed Bethany Jones, the new treasurer, as interim zoning officer and recording secretary, but there were concerns aired about permits approved while the position was vacant and the future of the position.

Tom Bell, a resident who lives on Lycoming Creek Road, stated that board chairman David Shirn built a storage shed on a property he owns that violates the requirement that it be 5 feet away from the adjacent property.

“It’s 2 feet from my property, but it needs to be 5 feet,” Bell said. Shirn denied the allegation saying that it was 5.5 feet from Bell’s property.

Despite the dispute on the distance of the shed from the property, many had questions about what the zoning process looked like amidst the vacancy of the position.

“The request was initially denied, but it was built anyway,” Linda Mazzullo, former chairwoman of the board, said. “How is it possible that the township is able to process these zoning requests without a zoning officer?”

Scott Williams, the township’s solicitor, said that Jones will be able to approve zoning permits retroactively after having been appointed Tuesday.

“We have many different issues regarding zoning that come to the township often,” Williams said. “And we’re doing what we can to accommodate all of those projects and requests.”

The position is advertised as both part-time and full-time to see who applied, and the room debated on whether or not the role needed a full-time employee.

“From what I’ve seen, it doesn’t make sense to have a full-time zoning officer, but if that’s what’s needed, we will do it,” Shirn said.

Many in the crowd had ideas and suggestions on training and workshops to train the interim zoning officer.

Justin Kastner, one of the recently appointed supervisors, urged the crowd to unite and provide constructive contributions to the meetings.

“We need positive participation,” Kastner said. “If your goal is to come here and get Mr. Shirn upset when you can very well come during the day and air these valid concerns, why not do that instead. We all want a better township. If you’re here to criticize, offer a solution with that criticism. Bring something positive to the plate. That’s all we’re asking. We’re trying our best with the situation we’ve recently been given.”

While Kastner’s comment drew applause, some had a response.

“Sometimes we have to talk about this stuff together in a public space,” Bell said. “That’s what a town hall is.”

“Speaking generally, other people have been doing the same thing to the old supervisors for months,” resident Becky Corter said. “My main issue is with transparency. Often when we come to the office during the day or when we ask questions, we are told that it’s none of our business or that we can’t be helped. These are simple questions that need to be answered.”

Kastner said that many big decisions about the future will be made and a public meeting will be called in the future to update residents.