Commissioners seek info before approving drug dog purchase

BY STACI WILSON

Susquehanna County may get a new law enforcement dog but not until the commissioners get enough information.

The commissioners tabled the approval of the purchase of the dog for the sheriff’s office with an eventual move to the Drug and Alcohol Task Force. The cost for the dog, including training, is about $19,500 and will be paid with Drug and Alcohol funding.

Commissioner Michael Giangrieco said the information presented was different from what he had been hearing about.

“The sheriff’s office is not involved in law enforcement,” Giangrieco said, questioning how participation in drug enforcement would be handled.

He thought the canine should be under the district attorney’s office. The Drug and Alcohol Task Force is run through the DA’s office.

Bids for a new telephone system for the courthouse, county office building, Montrose District Court office and the 88 Chenango St. property were opened and accepted for review.

Bids were received from Frontier Communications, All-Mode, and Guyette Communications.

The commissioner also opened the single $125 bid submitted by Jason Auckland for a used oil furnace.

The resignation of Wesley Parks, Farm Director, Conservation District Board of Directors, was accepted, with regret, effective Jan. 20.

In personnel matters, the commissioners accepted, with regret, the resignation for purpose of retirement from John Demmer, Recycling, effective end of business March 26; and the resignation, with regret, of 911 Dispatcher Trainee Kelly Conklin, effective Feb. 12.

The commissioners also acknowledged the transfer of Michelle Hillard from the Sheriff’s Department to the position of Sergeant at the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility, effective March 10.