LACKAWAXEN, PA — At the May 20 board of supervisors meeting in Lackawaxen Township, Supervisor Mike Mancino was approved by the board to be an authorized signer for all township bank accounts held at The Dime Bank and the Honesdale National Bank. Because of the Shawn Roe controversy, in which former secretary Roe is accused of stealing $220,000 from the township over a 10-year period, all three supervisors must now sign all outgoing checks for the township, and all checks are signed in public, during the course of the meetings.

On June 7, Lackawaxen high school student Michaela will be holding a 5K walk/run sponsored by the Shohola Area Lions Club. Registration for the event will be held from 2 p.m. though 5 p.m. The event will be held at Wallenpaupack Area High School. The requested donation is $3 for students and $5 for non-students. Refreshments will be available.

Michaela was diagnosed with Type I diabetes in 2009. The board of supervisors voted to support Michaela and other students in the township with the disease with a $500 donation. For more information, contact Michaela at michaelas t1d5k@gmail.com or call 570/470-5750.

In other business, public comment brought to light a local cause for concern. One resident pointed out the local publicity lately surrounding the Pike County Humane Society located in Shohola, and its dire current financial standings. The shelter is known for being the only “no-kill” shelter in the area, and there was great interest among the attendees regarding how the township could support the shelter. Several residents requested further information regarding how to reach the shelter, and the board of supervisors will look into making a donation on behalf of Lackawaxen Township.

Barry Heims, the director of the shelter, said that financial participation from local government in Pike County has always been low. He said the shelter is entirely privately funded and receives no contributions from the National Humane Society.

Heims said that when he founded the shelter 17 years ago, the Pike County Board of Commissioners contributed $3,000 annually. This was raised to $4,000, to the best of Heims recollection, two years later. The amount has not been raised in the ensuing 15 years. Further, he said, the number of displaced animals that the society has taken in during those 17 years has risen by 3,000%.

Pike County Commissioner Matt Osterberg was contacted by phone and said that he has not, to his knowledge, been approached by any member of the Pike County Humane Society in writing or in person or phone for increased funding. He said the commissioners support the work the society does and would be happy to meet with representatives in order to form a long-term financial plan for its continuation into the future.