County buys utility vehicle, backup power source

BY STACI WILSON

The county commissioners approved the purchase of some new equipment at the Wednesday, Sept. 26, meeting.

The purchase of a 2018 Kubota utility vehicle from Timberline Lawn and RV., Montrose, at a cost of just over $26,000 was approved, and will be paid from the county’s general fund.

Commissioner Alan Hall said the utility vehicle will be used by the maintenance department and is equipped with a plow and salt spreader and can be used on the sidewalks, and on the Green.

The Information Technology Department will be getting an Eaton Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) from N1 Critical Technologies, of Janesville, Wis., at a cost of $20,312.

An UPS provides emergency power when the input power source fails. Although it can be used for any electrical equipment, it is commonly used to protect computers and telecommunication equipment to protect against a serious data loss.

County Chief Detective John Oliver and Detective Justin Sprout were removed from assignment as substitute School Resource Officers, effective Sept. 26, per the recommendation of District Attorney Marion O’Malley.

The commissioners acknowledged the district attorney’s assignment of Jessica Chiaramonte as a County Detective/School Resource Officer, effecting Sept. 26.

With a question about the position from the audience, Hall explained the SRO positions are funded by the school districts – generally with grant funds – and are trained to handle a large spectrum of issues from armed intruder, to drug/alcohol and suicide issues.

“It’s a long time coming,” said Bruce Paskoff, of Forest Lake Twp, the audience member who asked about the positions.

Hall said that Montrose Area was the only district that does not currently have an SRO. “We hope that will happen,” Hall said.

Blue Ridge, Elk Lake, Forest City and Mountain View all have School Resource Officers assigned in those school districts. Susquehanna Community utilizes the Lanesboro Police Dept. for daily security services on the campus. Blue Ridge is in its second year of having the SRO in the district.

In the event an appointed SRO is unavailable, a substitute may be assigned by the DA’s office. The sub would be paid at the same daily rate. The school districts will pay the county the salary of the substitute SRO’s salary, plus the pension and tax costs.

The commissioners proclaimed September as “Hunger Action Month,” and the week of Oct. 7-13 was proclaimed “4-H Week.”

Julie Harvatine, the 4-H Coordinator in Susquehanna County said the program has undergone some changes this year. She reported that 376 youth are enrolled in 4-H and there are currently 75 volunteers that help carry out the program.

Mark Madden, Penn State Extension Client Relations Manager, said the county is fortunate to have Harvatine working in the position and commended her “talent, energy and aptitude.”

He also thanked the commissioners for their support of the 4-H program and noted it was a “bright spot in the area we serve.”