Lansford council discusses pool’s future

Lansford Borough Council met Wednesday evening to discuss both current and overdue agenda items including town police coverage, Kennedy Park gazebo and the reopening of the Lansford pool.

Councilman Martin Ditsky brought to attention issues involved with the process of reopening the Lansford pool.

“We currently can’t locate the feasibility studies,” Ditsky said. “Before we can open it, we need to find out what the last studies suggested.”

Other issues relating to the current condition of the Lansford pool include roof pumps that must be replaced and installed, concession stand doors in poor condition that are in need of a replacement, and the unknown condition of the restrooms.

Another council member brought to the board’s attention the rat issue in the surrounding poolside areas. The company Seitz Bros was the suggested business to use in addressing the issue.

Council President Bruce Markovich announced that Lansford has enough money to get the project started and suggested that they schedule a meeting to begin the process.

A meeting with Friends of Lansford Pool has been scheduled for Feb. 24, contingent on obtaining the needed feasibility studies before that date.

The meeting is open to the public and ideas are welcome, as the meeting will revolve around presenting ideas to Friends of Lansford Pool before they hold their own meeting to discuss what they decide to do.

“Our plan is to get it done without taxpayer money,” Markovich said. “We’ll figure out whether we can open the pool or close it permanently.”

The board also compared two quotes received to improve the gazebo in Kennedy Park.

Vice President Bob Silver made a motion to choose Pioneer Metal Roofing’s quote for a metal gazebo for a total of $4,676. The motion was passed with a requirement of the business to provide insurance and complete the project no later than May 30.

When budget concerns regarding the police force were expressed to the board by Councilman William Chuma, Lansford Mayor Michele Bartek suggested allowing another full-time police officer.

Bartek clarified her rationale by explaining that her current officers work part-time, but due to a low number of officers, they’re working around 8-9 hours of overtime every week. One of her lead officers made full-time pay because of the consistent overtime.

Chuma’s hesitations was the budget resting at $1.4 million, and last year they paid out $900,000 to the police department.

“That was only because of the overtime,” Bartek said. “To do my job and cut overtime, I need officers.”

Bartek mentioned the stabbing that occurred in Lansford last week, using that as an example of the high crime rate of the town and the need for more police presence.

After multiple ideas were proposed to resolve the budget concerns as well as the need for more officers, Bob Silver noted two people who sent in applications to be hired part-time. Silver suggested it’s time the board hired them.

President pro tem John T. Turcmanovich recommended the two applicants for their proper training and credentials as well as the town’s need for officers.

After a vote, two part-time police officers were hired for $21 an hour, contingent on passing the required polygraph test.

Before adjourning, Bartek requested her two-day boot camp to be paid for by the council. The motion was passed to pay that bill.