Lock Haven officials laud departing LHU President Pignatello

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Robert Pignatello’s last day as Lock Haven University president will be Friday, Feb. 5 and several city officials made a point at Monday night’s city council meeting to thank him for his contributions to the school and the community.

Pignatello became the school’s fifteenth president in March of 2018 and will end his tenure to become “Senior Advisor to the Chancellor for Integration Strategy.” The position is part of the state System of High Education ongoing plan to integrate a number of state schools, including Lock Haven, Bloomsburg and Mansfield universities.

Council member Richard Morris was the first to credit Pignatello. He termed his contributions remarkable, given the “headwinds” with which he had to deal, including COVID-19. Mayor Joel Long said he was disappointed the president is leaving and “will be greatly missed.” City Manager Greg Wilson spoke of Pignatello’s role in advancing the town-gown relationship and lauded him for being “an integrated part of the community.”

A new, interim LHU president is expected to be named by the state system board at its February meeting.

At its online meeting, city council approved for 2021a second year of accepting installment payments for real estate taxes. Manager Wilson said 184 property owners participated in the payment plan program in 2020 and there were no defaults. The payments are divided into four installments, 25 percent for each one.

Council also approved a city police union request for a 1-year extension of the collective bargaining agreement with the members of the Lock Haven Police Officers Association. The current pact expires at the end of this calendar year and, according to the city manager, the union membership, due to COVID-19 related issues, had limited time to discuss a new pact. Wilson recommended council approve the request with the stipulation that talks on a new contract begin this year.