BUTLER TWP — Commissioners President Joe Hasychak wants township officials to reconsider “once and for all” if two pre-Vietnam War era rifles should be kept or sold with fresh eyes.

Literally.

The board last spring voted to sell one of the two potentially pricey firearms.

“But that doesn’t count to me. We have a new board,” said Hasychak, referring to a turnover in two of the five commissioners in the last election.

The Colt Armalite AR-15 Model 01s, which are .223-caliber rifles with the capacity to be fully automatic, have been valued between $18,000 and $22,000 each and are in storage.

The guns, purchased by township police in 1961, were replaced for police use with newer model Smith & Wessons a number of years back. They were mothballed until last year when a community member pointed out their value.

On June 3, the board voted 4-1 in favor of putting one of the rifles up for bid from appropriately licensed individuals to see what the market brings, according to the township’s officially posted meeting minutes.

The board reserved the right to reject all bids should the offers be too low. If sold, the proceeds would be earmarked for use by the police department. The lone vote against the sale was cast by Dave Zarnick.

Since that original vote, township manager Ed Kirkwood said he has “compiled a tremendous amount of information about who, what, where and when we can sell these weapons.” But he has not put one out for bid and the township still has possession of both.

“I’ve had so many other pressing issues for me to deal with,” Kirkwood said. “I do the most important first and work my way down.”

Also since then, two of the board members who voted to sell the weapons, Ben Simon and George Shockey, left the board and new members Charles Nedz and Samuel Zurzolo were elected to replace them.

And Hasychak, who has since taken over the role of board president, said he has changed his mind.

Originally casting a vote in favor of selling the weapons, Hasychak said, “I plan to vote no. I don’t want to sell them, and we don’t need the money. Certainly we can change our minds.”

Solicitor Rebecca Falvo said Hasychak’s idea to revisit the vote is fair game.

“The recision or reconsideration of motions is a discretionary function of the board of commissioners,” Falvo said. “Because the firearms have not yet been sold, a commissioner has the authority to move to rescind the prior motion and entertain a new motion on the subject.”

Hasychak says the “new board” will tackle the issue April 7.