Laguzzi new Clarks Summit chief
CLARKS SUMMIT - Joe Laguzzi held his right hand in the air as he swore to protect and uphold the borough law, his perfectly shined shoes poking out at the bottom of his crisp, creased, new Clarks Summit Police Department uniform pants.
He was sworn in and officially appointed police chief by a unanimous vote at the borough council meeting Wednesday night, and will officially start active duty Monday.
Chief Laguzzi said his main goal is to stay focused on the local businesses and residents during his one-year contract.
"I want to stay community oriented," he said after the meeting.
He stressed implementing educational programs to schoolchildren, as well as maintaining an open-door policy for business owners and residents to come and discuss concerns. Chief Laguzzi also said he wants to create a rank system to make the Police Department more structured and increase the commercial vehicle violation officer's visibility on the roads.
Chief Laguzzi comes to Clarks Summit after 20 years of service with the Carbondale Police Department, and experience as an instructor at the Lackawanna College Police Academy. He said he's considering staying on as a training officer with the Carbondale department as long as it does not conflict with his working hours as the Clarks Summit chief.
Original negotiations for Chief Laguzzi's Clarks Summit salary were estimated to be about $30,000, but he declined to comment on the final number.
He is currently working with the mayor of Carbondale to finalize his retirement from the Carbondale Police Department, as well as waiting on compiling final numbers to cement his pension plan.
Also appointed at the meeting were Borough Manager Virginia Kehoe, assistant secretary Jennifer Schmidt, treasurer Melissa Jones, borough council solicitor Pat Rogan, zoning board solicitor Robert P. Sheils, planning commission solicitor Michael Cowley, special labor solicitor James P. Valentine, codes enforcement/zoning officer Lori Harris, Department of Public Works foreman Neil Bartholme, borough engineer Colwell-Naegele, auditors Murphy Dougherty & Co., borough planning commission member John Recicar, borough zoning hearing board members John Jeffrey, Joseph Bontrager and Bob Krannick as the alternate, and borough shade tree commission members Josh Apr and Molly Philbin.
Council President Gerrie Carey was appointed liaison to the Abington Council of Governments, Lackawanna County Council of Governments and Abington Business & Professional Association, while Warren Watkins was appointed liaison to the Senior Site Council, the Wales Sister City program and the Abington Business & Professional Association. Bob Gilbert was also appointed as a liaison to the Senior Site Council.
Contact the writer: ksullivan@timesshamrock.com, @ksullivanTT on Twitter