(1/27) Liberty Township supervisors began their year by welcoming new leadership to the police department.
Supervisors Walter "Mickey" Barlow and Bobby Keiholtz unanimously appointed Terry DeWitt as full-time police chief and Ryan Morris as sergeant. Supervisor Chris Hill was absent. DeWitt and Morris will be paid $32 and $25.50 per hour, respectively.
DeWitt joined the police force as its officer-in-charge in August after the resignation of Chief Don Boehs. Boehs remains a part-time patrol officer on the township staff. Since taking office, DeWitt has upgraded many aspects of the police department, including purchasing spike strips, new patch and car logos, and new rifles.
"Since you have been here, we have brought the township police department forward by leaps and bounds," Barlow said. "Job well done; we look forward to working with you."
DeWitt also reported that Patrol Officer Kenny Hassinger upgraded the department’s evidence room and inventoried its contents. In the near future, DeWitt will present a list of inventory that he recommends should be purged, sold, or donated.
The Liberty Township Police Department also provides protection to Highland and Freedom townships. DeWitt said officers responded to 923 complaints in 2024, with the majority being traffic or domestic incidents.
While the police department adapts to several changes, the Board Of Supervisors is continuing with the status quo. During their annual reorganization meeting, Barlow was named Chair, Keiholtz was appointed Vice Chair, and Hill was elected Secretary.
Elected officials in the township will receive a pay raise when their next term begins. Pennsylvania law states supervisors cannot change the rate of pay for elected officials while they are in office.
The elected auditors will receive $15 per hour, a $5 per hour pay raise. The auditors’ sole job is to set the rate of pay for working supervisors since the township hires a professional auditing firm to ensure its financial records are in order. The township tax collector will receive 3% of each bill collected, an increase from a flat rate of $1.50 per bill. Supervisors’ pay will be changed from $1,200 annually to $3,145 per year.
During their annual reorganization, the auditors set Barlow’s roadmaster salary at $25.09 per hour. Last year, Keiholtz asked the auditors to set Barlow’s salary higher than his since Barlow oversees the department and holds more certifications. The auditors granted his request and set Keiholtz’s salary at $24.46 per hour.
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