Homeless vet helped by county, local organizations

Commissioner MaryAnn Warren publicly thanked all the county departments, local agencies, organizations and a Montrose businessman for coming together recently to help a homeless veteran.

Warren offered up the remarks at the end of the Wednesday, Nov. 13 commissioners’ meeting.

The veteran, Warren said, had been living in the area for one and one-half years.

She offered her thanks to Sheriff Deputy Donnie Bennett and the entire Sheriff’s Department, Director of Veterans Affairs Rich Ely, the Assistance Office, Susquehanna County Interfaith, and Rodolfo Scarfallato, owner of the Hometown Market.

Warren said a $60 grocery voucher had been provided to the man, but his order went above the amount. Scarfallato, she recounted, offered to cover the balance of the bill.

“It was the community coming together to take care of people,” Warren said. “Don’t let them fall through the cracks, please.”

Starting her remarks, Warren said, “If you known of anyone who is homeless, please contact us.”

Warren said the veteran is currently receiving care at a VA hospital, and may be transferred to another facility for a surgery.

The commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the Susquehanna County Housing Redevelopment Authority to file an application on behalf of the county to use the county’s 2019 entitlement program allocation of $256.030 for sidewalk projects in Oakland and Susquehanna boroughs, the demolition of a condemned home in Forest City, and countywide housing rehabilitation projects.

In conjunction with that, the county also approve the implementation of the Residential Anti-displacement and Relocation Assistance Plan, assuring that if the county demolishes vacant or occupiable housing units with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the county will replace them with affordable units.

In other related agenda items, the commissioners approved a Fair Housing resolution  and authorized the Minority Business Enterprise Plan and State of Goals to promote the opportunity for full participation by socially and economically disadvantaged persons in all housing and community development programs receiving funds from the Dept. of Economic Development (DCED).

Carol Carpenter and Rick Ainey were reappointed to serve as trustees to the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association Board of Directors, effective Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020.

Commissioner Elizabeth Arnold was appointed to serve as the Commissioner Director on the Susquehanna County Conservation District Board of Directors, for a one-year term effective Jan. 1, 2020 through Dec. 31, 2020.

Arnold, Commissioner Alan Hall, and Commissioner-elect Judy Herschel will be attending the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania’s fall conference in Hershey.

The county entered into several service agreements for various child welfare services for Children and Youth.

A service agreement was also entered into with the Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center for accepting juvenile detainees with the recommendation of the Juvenile Probation department.

In personnel matters:

*several hirings, transfers, resignations and a termination of Corrections Officer(s) was approved;

*Emily McHale was hired as a Field Appraiser trainee in the Dept. of Assessment;

*Anthony Catanzaro was hired as a Rycycling Technician;

*Barbara Chidester was hired by Sheriff Lance Benedict as the Real Estate Clerk, effective Nov. 21;

*the purchase of office furniture for the Domestic Relations Section through CoSTARS was approved in the amount of $29,132.90 and $2,975.92, using incentive funds from the Bureau of Child Support Enforcement.