Shake-ups in county staff

There were some shake-ups in courthouse staffing at the Nov. 8 meeting of the county commissioners.
The salary board, regularly comprised of the three commissioners, Treasurer Jason Miller, was joined by Court Administrator Cathy Hawley, representing Judge Jason Legg, and Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts Chris Jones.
The board moved to eliminate the Judicial Law Clerk position, effective Nov. 22; and create a new position of Judicial Law Clerk/Assistant Court Administrator.
With that, the commissioners acknowledged, with regret the termination of Shawn Brothwell, due to the elimination of the Judicial Law Clerk position.
After correcting an error on the agenda, Commissioner Alan Hall said Brothwell had been a great employee and explained he wanted to make sure the wording of the termination was correct in order to preserve his unemployment rights.
The commissioners then acknowledged the hiring of Mary Jo Geist-Owens, to the newly created position, effective Nov. 27, at a salary of $55,000. The position will see no January increase in salary.
The salary board also created a temporary, full-time Acting 1st Deputy Prothonotary/Clerk of Courts position, effective Nov. 7 through Jan. 2, at a salary of $34,900.
Keisha Carman transferred to the temporary position and will transfer back to the 2nd Deputy position after the position lapses.
The commissioners ratified and acknowledged the Nov. 6 termination of Amanda Lannon from the 1st Deputy Prothonotary/ Clerk of Courts position; as well as Angel Connelly from the 2nd Deputy Clerk of Courts position effective Oct. 27.
The termination of Jordan Harvey from the position of Civil/Criminal Clerk in the Sheriff’s Department, effective Nov. 6, was also ratified and acknowledged by the commissioners.
The transfer of Jessica Chiarmonte from the position of Sheriff Depuity to the position of Forensic Case Coordinator/Deputy Coroner was acknowledged by the commissioners, at a starting salary of $30,000, effective Nov. 20.
A five-year service agreement with Otis Elevator Company was approved by the commissioners, at a cost of $350 per month.
The agreement goes into effect on July 1, 2018 and is for the newly installed courthouse elevator.
The following were reappointed to serve on the Susquehanna County Conservation Board of Directors: Brian Severcool, Farmer Director; Curtis Hepler, Public Director; and MaryAnn Warren, Commissioner Director. Warren abstained from the vote.
Wednesday, Nov. 15 was designated as America Recycles Day in Susquehanna County.
The county commissioners meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, at 9 a.m., in the courthouse. The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 22. The salary, election and retirement boards meet on an as-needed basis following the commissioners’ meeting.