Officials from Westmoreland County townships to hold annual convention

Representatives from Westmoreland County’s 18 second-class townships will gather March 8 for their annual convention.

The meeting, held at Stratigos Banquet Centre in North Huntingdon, will feature question-and-answer sessions with local state lawmakers and township solicitors as well as information from vendors, according to Donegal Township Supervisor Thomas Stull Jr., president of the Westmoreland County Association of Township Supervisors.

“This is a good networking day and allows us to discuss the issues,” Stull said.

One issue expected to be discussed is a proposal made earlier this year by Gov. Tom Wolf to institute a per capita tax on municipalities that rely on Pennsylvania State Police for law enforcement.

The group is not expected to take a formal position on the issue or any others at the convention, Stull said.

“We bring our townships together to go over what we are facing. By getting together we have a bigger voice with our legislators when it comes down to local township issues. It gives us more power,” Stull said.

Part of the convention includes presenting a 2018 Youth Award to Girl Scout Troop 24142 out of Delmont, in recognition of the troop’s veterans’ memorial project at Eastview Union Cemetery in Delmont.

Westmoreland’s second-class townships are Allegheny, Bell, Cook, Derry, Donegal, East Huntingdon, Fairfield, Hempfield, Ligonier, Loyalhanna, Mt. Pleasant, Salem, Sewickley, South Huntingdon, St. Clair, Unity, Upper Burrell and Washington.