County moves forward with proposed water line to jail

BY STACI WILSON

Susquehanna County allocated $750,000 from Act 13 funds in an effort to get a public water line run to the county jail.

The allocation, approved by the commissioners at the June 10 meeting, is contingent upon support from the state and other entities for the balance of the projected $1.8 million project.

Commissioner Alan Hall said the present water line runs to the RitzTex manufacturing facility. The county is looking to extend that line to serve the jail, and also continue on to the former Bendix site.

Hall said currently only one of the jail’s water wells is functioning; and a storage tank at the facility also needs to be replaced.

If the project moves forward with state support, the county is also looking to have natural gas distribution lines installed at the same time as the water line.

“We plan to work together so we don’t have to dig things up twice,” Hall said.

Audience member Vera Scroggins requested the county allocate additional funds to take the water line to Dimock Twp.

The commissioners awarded the bid for the courthouse column repair to the low bidder, Jim Dziehlak’s Contracting Co. Inc., of Carbondale, in the amount of $81,510.

During the work, Hall said the front entrance of the courthouse will remain open. The work is expected to begin in the next six to eight weeks and should be completed by October.

In public comment, the commissioners were questioned about the county policy on public use of the courtroom for a night event.

Hall said that although it had been done in the past, the courtroom was not to be used in the evening, citing security issues.

The commissioners handled several personnel transfers and resignations.

Patricia Leach, of Montrose, was hired as a field appraiser in the assessment office; and Patricia Pickett, Montrose, was hired as the assistant head real estate tax clerk, also in the assessment office.

Children & Youth service agreements were also approved.