KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse attended the Renovo Borough Council meeting at the request of council, as they try to navigate a part time police force in such an isolated location. Strouse encouraged Renovo to reach out to neighboring municipalities and try to form a regional police force, among other ideas.

RENOVO — With a barebones police force and a diminished bank account, Renovo Borough Council heard recommendations from Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse on whether or not the borough should retain its own police department.

For years, the Renovo Borough Police Department has struggled to maintain a fully staffed force, hitting barriers that include interest of officers and budgetary constraints — often a combination of the two. It was reported to council Wednesday night there was just over $3,000 in the borough’s checking account.

With just a part-time chief in Greg Drollinger, during the February meeting, Mayor Justin Lynn brought up whether council should move towards dropping the department and allowing Pennsylvania State Police to patrol the area.

With those questions looming, Strouse attended the March meeting to offer guidance.

Strouse began by saying that its “vitally important” that the community keep its local department, considering its remote location of being so far away from the Lamar PSP barracks. He repeated several times that he realizes budget issues also come into play as well as his recommendations.

Strouse also reported estimated statistics regarding the crime rate in Renovo and surrounding communities in Western Clinton County.

Strouse said western Clinton County has less than 10 percent of the county’s population, but the crime statistics are closer to 30 percent of the county over the last 10 years. Jury trial rates for western county residents is also higher per capita than anywhere else in the county, he added.

Strouse said he believes much of this is due to having a part-time police force as well as the isolated locations. He recommended, ideally, that a regional police department be formed, including other local municipalities.

The idea of a regional police department isn’t new for the area, with the idea considered around 2014. Due to a lack of interest, not much headway was made between the communities.

Council seemed united in that a regional police force would be the best-case scenario.

Lynn asked Strouse if he would be able to help recruit local municipalities into a regional police department.

Strouse said that would not align with his role as district attorney. He suggested they pitch the idea to other areas, noting it is worth exploring considering first responders and police are often of the utmost importance to elected officials.

In other business, council approved a Liquor License Transfer to Renovo Supermarket, Inc., formally known as Lingle’s. Plans were proposed to install a 30 to 35 capacity seating area where breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served.

The liquor license was transferred into the borough from Crawford Township on the south eastern end of the county.

The lawyer for Renovo Supermarket, Tom McCreesh, explained the cafe-style restaurant will be located near the left of the store, saying that some gaming machines will be removed. He said that the produce section may be shrunk in size, but that every attempt will be made not to reduce the selection of items.

Renovo Supermarket will allow the sale and consumption at the restaurant area, and the store will also sell alcohol as a carry out but will not be permitted to be consumed outside the dining area.

The business employs 21 local residents and that number could rise with the addition of the serving area. Council seemed thrilled with the expansion with Council President John Simon offering a congratulatory “welcome aboard.”

Lynn and some members of council indicated they were aware of a potential investor at the former Renovo Rail Yard. The site was most recently considered for a power plant, which did not come to fruition following pushback and investors pulling away from the project.

Of the three or four elected officials that spoke up on the issue, it varied as to what exactly the proposed industry is.

As a result, Lynn suggested that a parcel designated at I3 go through a zoning ordinance change to I2, so as not to allow toxic waste or other hazardous materials on the property.

Lynn said the current zoning for the parcel allows a business or individual to open an industry with harmful material in the area, with council unable to prohibit it.

He stated they have to make the move now to have a say in what may be planned across the railroad tracks in the former rail yard.

Though no specifics were shared, some members of council suggested they heard the industry would not be harmful.

Though council agreed it should have a say in a potential business moving into the property, with only $3,000 in its bank account, updating the ordinance could be a challenge.

It was discussed if they were to make the ordinance change now and then be OK with future plans across the tracks, these different changes, public meetings and possibly even court hearings could be costly to the borough and a potential investor.

Lynn cited numerous ordinances and laws in place that Lock Haven has, emphasizing that council must take such a step now to protect the community in the future.

With information related to the subject at a minimum, those in attendance questioned if the plans were being made without Renovo’s knowledge.

Council Member Kristy Serafini-Brooks tried to tamp down these concerns, suggesting it could be a private investor who is speaking with the Clinton County Economic Partnership and in early development stages.

Council seemed to agree with that logic and tabled the proposed ordinance change as they hope to invite officials that can offer knowledge to the proposal to come to a future meeting.