(6/25) Roadwork Plans Altered
The Liberty Township Road Department is taking a detour. During the supervisors’ monthly meeting in June, Supervisor Chair Walter "Mickey" Barlow, who also serves as roadmaster, said the township rejected all bids for Flexbase material to rehabilitate Bullfrog Road.
The township sought bids for 20 tons of Flexbase Modified and 1,400 tons of Flexbase-3 Modified. Now, it is seeking bids for 1640 tons of Flexbase Modified to repair road shoulders on Orchard Road. Barlow said the township will revisit the Bullfrog Road work in 2026.
Barlow did not specify why he recommended the township reject all bids for the original proposal.
Township Personnel changes
Michael Dickerson was sworn in as an auxiliary member of the Liberty Township Police Department. Chief Terry DeWitt said Dickerson’s position is permissible under a 1952 Pennsylvania law that allows departments to appoint auxiliary officers to supplement existing police forces during emergencies and disasters. Dickerson is the pilot of Liberty 1, the department’s helicopter that is owned and paid for by Tripwire South.
Also on a recommendation from DeWitt, the supervisors increased Administrative Secretary to Police Department Jessica Ilko’s hours from 10 to 20 per week. Ilko recently resigned her position as the township’s assistant secretary/treasurer. Barlow said the township hopes Freedom and Highland townships, which receive police protection from Liberty, will help fund Ilko’s increased hours, but that won’t be known until the contracts are negotiated in 2026. Until then, DeWitt said he has unused funds in his budget.
The township also accepted the resignation of Dethlefs Pykosh & Murphy as township solicitor. Municipal leaders did not expound upon the reasons for the resignation. The firm began providing services to the township earlier this year and will continue as a special counsel as needed, Barlow said.
The resignation opened the door for longtime Solicitor John Lisko to return. However, for that to be possible, another change needed to occur. Township meetings will be held at 6. on the first Wednesday of each month instead of the first Tuesday of each month. Barlow said the schedule alteration is necessary to accommodate Lisko’s availability.
National Night Out Plans
National Night Out will be held on Aug. 5 from 5 to 8 at Mid Atlantic Soaring Association, 154 Pecher Road. The event is intended to build relationships between first responders and the community. Supervisors approved a $1,000 expenditure to support the event.
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