County backing of EMHS bond no longer needed

BY STACI WILSON

The county is no longer responsible for standing behind the Endless Mountains Health Systems bond issue.

Addressing the county commissioners at the Jan. 11 meeting, Ray Wilmarth, of the EMHS board, said, “Fifteen years ago, EMHS asked for county support to back the bond issue. The final loan has been taken out. The county is no longer responsible for standing behind us on that debt.”

Wilmarth thanks the commissioners for their help over the years. After the county pledged its backing of the EMHS bond, a commissioner has been appointed to serve on the hospital’s board.

Wilmarth noted prior County Commissioners Cal Dean and Jeffrey Loomis service to the EMHS board.

For the past four years, Commissioner Michael Giangrieco was appointed to serve on the EMHS board and has kept in close contact with the board’s secretary, Wilmarth said.

Groundbreaking for the new hospital facility is scheduled for the end of January, Wilmarth told the commissioners.

Giangrieco said, “The community will be thankful to have (a facility) like that here instead of having to travel toBinghamtonorScranton. It’s needed.”

The commissioners also appointed and reappointed representatives to serve on the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission’s advisory committee.

Commissioners Alan Hall and Michael Giangrieco were in attendance at the meeting.

Commissioner MaryAnn Warren was out of town reported Chief Clerk Sylvia Beamer.

NTRPDC advisory committee members were appointed to serve for the term which began Jan. 1 and ends June 30, 2013. The following appointments/reappointments were made:

Economic development: Robert Neira, William Dovin and Jack Taylor.

Local loan review: Joe Feretti, Rick Soden and Maria Montenegro.

Rural area transportation: Joseph Plonski, Rudy Mattes and Leonard Wheatley.

Workforce development: Sam Anderson and Loren Stone.

All three county commissioners also serve on the Local Elected Officials committee.

Justin Sprout, Springville, was hired to serve as a part-time detective on the county’s Drug/DUI Task Force, effective immediately, per the recommendation of District Attorney Jason Legg.

The position is contingent upon the receipt of grant money to fund the task force.

The salary board, comprised of the commissioners and the county treasurer, approved the negotiated and/or arbitrated changes in pay rates and benefits for 2012 for union employees.