Old Lycoming Township ‘on track’ to implement new financial system
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Old Lycoming Township is on track to implement its new financial system ahead of schedule, according to officials at the supervisors' most recent meeting.
The newly appointed treasurer, Bethany Jones, said the payroll system is already up and running and the new financial system will be up and running by or before the April timeline.
"We are hoping that, because of my familiarity with the system, we could implement the system on a quicker timeline," Jones said. "That could be the end of February or the beginning of March."
During public comment, resident Jim Sortman brought concerns that, as a charter member, Old Lycoming Township is paying more than most charter members and contract municipalities relating to the Lycoming County Regional Police assessment and contract.
"The contract municipalities aren't anywhere near what we are paying for assessment," Sortman said. "It almost would've been better for us to be a contract municipality than a charter member. Who picks up that shortfall? It's pretty clear who. It seems that we're paying for the privilege to provide police services."
Sortman had specifics and numbers and said he would share them with the board. "There needs to be a serious reckoning there," he said.
The supervisor then discussed a recent police commission decision to drop the liability insurance for the firing range where the regional police train on firearms.
The conversation led to the shared complaint of noise from the firing range.
Sortman said that before regionalization, the range was being used by six to eight officers. With the increased officer numbers, the firing range has nearly tripled its use. "And this now includes semi-automatic handguns and AR-15s at full-auto," he said.
Sortman, and others in the public, asked whether there was an alternative to the current firing range now that the commission is considering actions on it.
Private ranges, Consolidated Sportsman's and Allenwood prison were all floated as ideas.
"All of those options are in very rural places," Sortman said. "Our firing range is in the center of a residential area."
Resident and former township employee Amy Hammaker asked the board whether minutes from important township meetings would be published online.
"These meetings are often at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.," Hammaker said. "And many can't attend them. Will you be putting minutes from those meetings on the site?"
Supervisors David Shirn said they could start publishing those meeting minutes.
Hammaker asked a question specific to one of the decisions made at those meetings to replace the camera and key fob system.
"The current camera system is less than a year old," Hammaker said. "I'm just wondering if this is an appropriate use of those funds."
Shirn said they are trying to solve problems with the keys and make the system more uniform.
The supervisors reminded the public about their Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday.
"Bring your kids, bring your grandkids," Justin Kastner said. "This is the first time we're doing an event like this in the community in a long time. We're looking forward to it."