County purchases tractor; offer comments on status of proposed public safety building

BY STACI WILSON

In a last minute addition to the agenda, the commissioners approved the purchase of a John Deere tractor for the recycling center and county jail at the July 11 meeting.

The tractor being used currently at the Eldridge Road county facilities will be moved to the courthouse complex for use; and the one currently at use at the courthouse will be put out for bid.

The cost of the new tractor is about $19,135 through the state’s Co-Stars program.

The commissioners also signed an agreement with Korn Ferry/HayGroup to assist with actuarial services for the county’s post-retirement benefit plan through June 30, 2020, at a one-time fee of $10,500.

Personnel items dominated the rest of the agenda:

*the hiring of Angela Holleran, Susquehanna, to the position of Conference Officer by President Judge Jason Legg was acknowledged by the commissioners;

*the part-time, temporary appointment of Kelsie Pratt and Lauren Herman by Treasurer Jason Miller to process doe permits, effective July 9 until doe permits are finished;

*the hiring of James Hawley to the position of Maintenance/Electrical & HVAC Technician, effective July 23;

*the resignation of April Price from the position of Court Liaison/Conference Officer was accepted, with regret;

*and the transfer of Dominick Brady from a part-time corrections officer position to a full-time slot was approved; and the resignation of part-time corrections officer, Alayna Doolittle, was accepted, with regret, effective July 17.

In public comment, the commissioners said plans for the $5.9 million received in Act 13 Impact fee funds would be targeted for the proposed construction of a new Public Safety building.

Commissioner Alan Hall said the sales agreement for the land, located in New Milford Twp., had been signed and survey work is being finished.

The lack of site control has held up grants, Hall said. A $2.7 million RCAP, with support from local state legislators, funding request is before the governor.

Updates and final changes are being made to the county’s comprehensive plan update. Comments on the plan are due by Aug. 1. Commissioners expect to hold a public meeting about the plan in September.

A draft of the comprehensive plan is available to read on the county website, www.susqco.com; and can be found under the Planning Department page on the website.

Area school districts have focused on school safety enhancements in recent months, with several districts approving the addition of a School Resource Officer in districts with the county’s District Attorney’s Office.

But Hall said the commissioners have not received any contracts or documentation from the district attorney about those positions as of the July 11 meeting.

Districts opting not to add the SRO, to date, include Susquehanna Community – which contracts security with the Lanesboro Police Department; and Montrose Area, where board members have expressed concerns about the proposed contract as well as noting other concerns and questions about the program.

The Mountain View School Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the District Attorney’s office at the June 11 school board meeting.

The Susquehanna County Commissioners meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 9 a.m. in the Courthouse, Lake Ave., Montrose. County Salary Board, Retirement Board and Election Board meetings are also held, as needed, at that time.