Commissioners end solicitor appointment

In a 2-1 vote, the county commissioners ended the appointment of its solicitor, Francis O’Connor, effective Wednesday, Feb. 23. Commissioner Elizabeth Arnold sounded the “no” vote to the motion, with Commissioners Alan Hall and Judith Herschel voting to remove O’Connor from the position.

A new county solicitor was not appointed at the meeting, and the commissioners did not indicate who they plan to appoint to the post.

Burn Ban

A county-wide burn ban is on the horizon. The commissioners approved a resolution enacting a burn ban, effective Tuesday, March 15, at 12:01 a.m. through Wednesday, April 13, at 11:59 p.m.

The ban prohibits open burning of any combustible material – garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, etc. – either in a burn barrel, fire ring or on the ground.

Propane or gas stoves, charcoals grills and tobacco in any form is not prohibited under the burn ban; and campfires in campgrounds are allowed in fire rings that confine and contain the campfire where all flammable materials have been removed within a five-feet radius of the fire.

Planning Commission

The commissioners accepted the resignation of Loren Salsman, of Dimock, from the county’s Planning Commission, effective Feb. 10.

At the Feb. 22 meeting, the Planning Commission gave preliminary, conditional approval to Eureka Resources, an oil and gas wastewater treatment facility industrial development planned in Dimock Twp.

Eureka is leasing nearly 30 acres and intends to develop the land with a main treatment plant building, a bulk transfer area, salt bulk transfer area, Crystallizer equipment area, with one 75-foot equipment tower, as well as a parking lot for 23 vehicles and a 30-feet wide access driveway.

The planning commission approval was conditioned on the receipt of DEP approval of the sewer planning; the PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit; receipt of the municipality report from Dimock Township supervisors (March 7 meeting).

An NPDES industrial waste permit was issued on Jan. 18, and an air quality permit was issued on Jan. 24.

A stream and wetlands crossing permit is also pending.

Other business

The commissioners approved:

*a list of local emergency planning committee members for 2022.

*a resignation and transfer of correctional facility personnel;

*hiring of a telecommunicator in the 911 department;

*hiring of Jordan Seamans as the processing/shipping manager at the recycling center; and the hiring of Dean Mitchell as the Assistant Recycling Coordinator;

*accepted, with regret, the resignation of Britney Darrow from the position of Assistant Director of Assessment, effective Feb. 25;

*hired Michael Christopher to the position of HVAC Technician/Maintenance Team Leader, effective March 10;

*designated Scott Aylesworth to execute the Susquehanna County Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Proclamations

The commissioners issued the following proclamations:

*The month of March as Colon Cancer Awareness Month in Susquehanna County; and Social Work Month in Susquehanna County;

*March 4 as Employee Appreciation Day in Susquehanna County.