New warden hired for county jail

BY STACI WILSON

A new warden has been hired for the Susquehanna County Correctional Facility.

Mark Shelp will take over the position next week, according to the county commissioners who hired Shelp at the Aug. 27 meeting.

Shelp will replace Nicholas Conigliaro who will take on a new role in law enforcement with his transfer to the newly created position of Community Corrections Officer.

Conigliaro was hired to that position in July but continued on as warden until a replacement was hired.

The compensation for the warden’s position was established by the salary board at a range of $44,000-$50,000. Shelp will start at $46,000 with an increase to $50,000 pending a satisfactory six month review.

The commissioners also hired Jason Beardsley as a part-time Assistant Public Defender at a salary of $24,000, no benefits, and not to exceed 29 hours per week, effective Aug. 18.

The commissioners also signed the 2015-16 Rights and Services Act Funding to receive $44,566 to be used for the Victim/Witness Program Coordinator’s position.

Commissioner Alan Hall explained that the county’s victim/witness coordinator helps crime victims navigate through the court system.

The two years of funding grants pays for just less than 70 percent of the salary and benefits associated with the position, Hall said. The county pays the remaining cost.

Pella was awarded the bid to install 62 windows and four doors in the courthouse at a cost of $208,998. The county plans to use $125,000 of money in funded debt to help pay for the project. The remainder will be taken from general funds.

In order to use the funded debt, the county must take out a loan, Hall said. The commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the borrowing of the $125,000 from Peoples Security Bank for a period of 30 days, 1.5 percent interest and $100 in bank fees.

Bridge repairs to County Bridge 38 in Springville Twp. were approved at an estimated cost of $18,000-$22,000.

The bridge repair will be paid through Act 13 Bridge Money. Hall said the impact fee provided for funds to be used for bridge repairs.

The county jail will be getting a new convection oven for its kitchen. The commissioners approved the purchase of a Hobart Convection Oven from Valiant Equipment, out of Ormond Beach, Fla., at a cost of $13,7430. Valiant was the bidder with the most complete prison package, according to the commissioners.

The commissioners also approved the purchase of maintenance and service agreement for the recorded in 911.

The purchase of a concurrent use license for GIS at a cost of $7,753 was approved. Hall said the license is for the items the GIS department will be producing; and and will enable to county to sell products produced by GIS in the future.

Audience member Vera Scroggins questioned the number of properties on this year’s tax sale list.

Treasurer Cathy Benedict said that as of Tuesday, Aug. 26, there were 224 properties still on the list to be offered for sale.

She said the county generally advertises about 300-400 properties and, of those, roughly 10 percent go to sale.

“It’s been pretty constant (over the years),” Benedict said.