County moves to dissolve inactive Rail Authority

In a 2-1 vote, the county commissioners moved forward with a resolution to dissolve the Susquehanna County Rail Authority at the Wednesday, May 12 meeting. The resolution and paperwork will be filed, as required, with the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Commissioner Elizabeth Arnold voted against the measure, while “yes” votes from Commissioners Alan Hall and Judy Herschel carried the motion.

Hall said the Rail Authority is inactive with no current members. He said the move to dissolve it was reviewed with some who had been part of the authority and that they saw no need to continue.

“It’s time to just dissolve it,” Herschel offered.

Commissioners said a rail subcommittee could be formed within the Susquehanna County Economic Development Advisory Board.

Both the county salary board and commissioners ratified and approved three collective bargaining unit agreements with Teamsters Local 229, all effective Jan. 1 of this year through Dec. 31, 2024.

The agreements cover union employees in the following bargaining units: Court-Related; Jail; and Residual.

The commissioners also ratified and approved pay increases for non-bargaining unit employees, also effective as of Jan. 1 of this year.

The pay increases include an escalation of starting rates for each year, as well as salary increases.

The commissioners explained that the county conducted a salary study in 2018-19 and adjustments were made to salaries which bring them in line with what other comparable counties are paying employees.

Weather conditions over the past few months have caused a delay in the estimated construction completion date of the public safety facility located in New Milford Twp. According to Hall, the facility is now expected to be completed in September.

The commissioners approved a change order for Geo-Science Engineering & Testing, in the amount of $17,000, for the public safety building.

The commissioners also approved the purchase of 10 signs from Molenko Inc., of Kingsley, marking Susquehanna County as Purple Heart County, at a cost of $2,000.

The signs will be erected at various entry points to the county.

May 16-22 was proclaimed as Emergency Medical Services Week in Susquehanna County with the commissioners offering their appreciation to all local first responders.