Historical records, assessment get new temporary home

BY STACI WILSON

With more renovations planned at the county courthouse, a displaced office will get a temporary home during the construction.

The commissioners signed a six-month lease with Susquehanna County Interfaith, at a cost of $1,800 per month plus electric.

Commissioner Alan Hall explained Interfaith’s former location on Public Ave., Montrose, would be used to house the county’s Historical Records department and assessment offices during the renovation project.

After a motion to create a full-time collection/compliance enforcement officer in the county probation department died for lack of a second at the Feb. 24, the salary board moved forward with creating the position at the March 9 meeting with a unanimous vote.

The position was created at the recommendation of Judge Jason Legg.

The board also approved a $5,000 increase in the salary for Chief Probation Officer Jeffrey Shoemaker for the added duties relating to collections and supervision.

County Treasurer Jason Miller sounded the lone “no” vote to the salary increase.

The community corrections officer position was transferred to the probation department, as a new union position.
The board also created a temporary position of 1st Deputy Tax Claim Director, effective March 17. The position will be eliminated on May 25.

In the county commissioners’ meeting, the transfer of Cynthia Oleniacz to the temporary position was approved. The commissioners also accepted with regret Oleniacz’s resignation, for purpose of retirement, on May 25.
Commissioner Alan Hall explained that by creating the temporary position, Miller – as the Director of Tax Claim – would be able to hire someone for the deputy position for training prior to Oleniacz’s retirement.

In other personnel matters, the commissioners acknowledged the termination of two county employees: Erica Johnson, Victim Witness Coordinator in the district attorney’s office, effective March 3, by DA Robert Klein; and Courtney Canfield, Domestic Relations Dept., by Judge Legg and Raebelle Taylor, director of Domestic Relations.
Matthew Lewis, of Logan Station, was hired as a part-time corrections officer at the county jail.

The commissioners signed a 60-month agreement and lease with Eastern Management Print Network of Endicott, N.Y., for the network copier in the Sheriff’s office at a cost of $130.32 per month.

Ten people were appointed to serve on the Susquehanna County Tick Borne Diseases Task Force through March 9, 2017.
Appointees included: Commissioner Elizabeth Arnold; health care professionals, Dr. Daniel Cameron, Dr. Jennifer Button-Weller, Emily Way; Emergency management’s Paul Johnson; and advocates, Phyllis Konstas, Robin Arnold, Colleen Schake, Karen Mitchell and Sandra Raub.

Arnold explained that those with the title of “advocate” either had been diagnosed with Lyme disease or have a close family member affected by a tick-borne illness.

Commissioner MaryAnn Warren suggested that representatives from NRCS or the County Conservation District also be included on the task force.

Arnold said she is also in the process of confirming a veterinarian, as well as a forensic scientist willing to serve on the panel.

The Susquehanna County Commissioners meeting on the second of fourth Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m., in the commissioners’ meeting room, located in the county courthouse, Maple St., Montrose. The salary, election and retirement boards are convened, as needed, following the commissioners’ meetings.