Harford compressor questioned

BY STACI WILSON

A Harford Township man questioned a natural gas compressor station near his home that he says is operating despite not receiving final approval from the county planning commission.

Jim Tuttle brought his concerns to the Wednesday, Jan. 14 county commissioners meeting.

The planning commission tabled final approval for the Williams-owned compressor station to look into Harford’s local ordinance regarding noise.

Tuttle said he was mainly concerned with the noise coming from the station.

Natural gas opponent Craige Stevens alleged that Harford wanted to pull back and override its existing ordinance.

Stevens and fellow anti-gas activist Vera Scroggins said the county should purchase a noise meter so it could better monitor and enforce the compressor station decibel limits set in the county’s subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO).

“Either that or kill the whole thing (decibel limits). You can’t do that or you would look as foolish as Harford does now.” Stevens said.

Although noise is typically addressed in zoning ordinances, the county’s SALDO includes a 55-decibel limit for natural gas compressor stations. For a station to receive final approval from the planning commission, a sound engineering study is filed with the county.

Commissioner Michael Giangrieco accompanied Tuttle to the planning office following the commissioners’ meeting for more information about the status of the station in question.

A new flag pole has been erected in front of the county courthouse.

Commissioner Alan Hall said it was a budgeted expenditure. A 10×15 flag will be flown in front of the building. Cost of the project was $4,000-$5,000, Hall said.

Thirteen properties that were not purchased in the annual Judicial Sale are going up for Repository Sale. The commissioners approved allowing the Tax Claim Bureau to accept any negotiated price for the parcels.

Joe’s Disposal Service Inc. was awarded the county’s refuse service contract. They were the only company to submit a bid for the contract.

A one-year maintenance contract with Reeds Generator Service was approved at a cost of $1,225. The contract covers four or five generators located throughout the county.

John Ramsay of Choconut was appointed to serve on the planning commission, for a term beginning immediately and ending Dec. 31, 2018.

Thomas Chamberlain, New Milford, was appointed to complete an unexpired term as a member of the Susquehanna County Housing Authority Board of Directors through Dec. 31, 2016. Chamberlain will fill the seat left vacant with the death of Robert Bartron.

The commissioners acknowledged the hiring of Jacquelyn Fancher, New Milford, to the position of Conference Officer, effective Dec. 11, per the recommendation of Judge Kenneth Seamans.

The county retirement board also convened to set the rate of regular interest for 2015 to be credited to member contribution accounts in the employee retirement plan. The rate of interest was set at four percent.

The retirement board is comprised of the three county commissioners, chief clerk and county treasurer.
The salary board, comprised of the commissioners and the treasurer, created four part-time nursing positions for the county correctional facility.

The nurses could be either RN’s or LPN’s, Hall said.

Currently the county uses a service for nurse staffing that charges $35 per hour. “I think we can do better service at less money,” Hall said.

After discussion about the wording of the motion, Giangrieco voiced concerns about some of the provisions indicated.

The initial agenda item called for the nurses to be union positions; with flexible hours averaging less than 20 hours per week; starting salary of $17 per hour; a no benefits other than what is covered by the collective bargaining unit.

Giangrieco’s altered motion took out the union provision; called for hours not to exceed 29 per week; and had “No benefits. Period,” Giangrieco stated.

“I’m sure we’ll go to arbitration on this,” Hall said.

Hall also said that because the jail was a union facility, the employees – even part-time employees – have to be part of the bargaining unit.