County earmarks funds for first responders

Susquehanna County Commissioners approved the allocation of $375,000 of Act 13 funds to assist emergency service organizations at the July 13 meeting.

Fire departments, EMS, EMT and first responder organizations in the county will be receiving $10,000; while mutual aid companies will each be given $5,000.

Service providers receiving $10,000 include: Barnes-Kasson, Clifford Twp. Emergency Services, Clifford Twp. Vol. Fire Co., Columbia Hose Co., Columbia Hose Co. Ambulance, Elk Lake Vol. Fire Co., Forest City Area Emergency Services, Forest City Fire Dept., Forest Lake Vol. Fire Co., Great Bend Hose Co., Great Bend/Hallstead Vol. Ambulance, Hallstead Fire Co., Harford Emergency Services, Harford Vol. Fire Co., Hop Bottom Hose Co., Little Meadows Rescue Squad, Little Meadows Vol. Fire Co., Montrose Minute Men Ambulance, Pleasant Mount Emergency Services, Pleasant Mount Vol. Fire Co., Rush Vol. Fire Co., Silver Lake Rescue Squad, Silver Lake Vol. Fire Co., Springville Vol. Fire Co., Susquehanna Ambulance, Susquehanna Fire Dept., Thompson Emergency Services, Thompson Hose Co., Union Dale Vol. Fire Co., and United Fire Co.

Emergency service providers receiving $5,000 include: Browndale, Factoryville Emergency Services, Forest Lake QRS, H.O.P.S. Ambulance Assoc., Hop Bottom First Response, Laceyville Goodwill Fire Co., LaRaysville-Pike Vol. Fire Co., Meshoppen Vol. Emergency Services, Meshoppen Vol. Fire Co., Nicholson Fire Co., Rush QRS, Springville QRS and Union Dale QRS.

Solicitor Changes

The county has changed firms it will now utilize for all legal matters. The commissioners approved the transfer of solicitor services to the firm Gabriel Fera P.C., of Pittsburgh, keeping current solicitor Christopher Gabriel, and adding representation for all employment matters, for a cost of $125,000. An increased budget, the commissioners explained, due to additional representation responsibilities.

The commissioners ended their attorney/client relationship with in employment matters with attorney Scott Blissman, Eckert Seamans, Cherin & Mellott, effective July 13, excepting all currently pending matters.

Gabriel will be taking on the employment matters in addition to the other solicitor duties.

Commissioner Alan Hall said the change will likely save the county about $30,000-$40,000 annually.

The commissioners also approved the following:

*removal of Abby Cook from position of trustee to the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association, effective June 25;

*Tax Claim Bureau exoneration request for a parcel in Lanesboro. The mobile home has been removed from the property;

*agreements with Lackawanna-Susquehanna BH/ID/EI;

*vehicle purchases for the Children and Youth Services Dept., and the Sheriff’s Department;

*hiring of Duane Naugle Jr. to the position of Director of Planning, effective June 27; Mikyle Fabrizio to the position of GIS Technician, effective July 11; and SarahRae Sisson to the position of Deputy Chief Clerk, effective Aug. 1.