Commissioners address role in recent disaster

BY STACI WILSON

The county commissioners held the Sept. 14 meeting in the commissioners’ meeting room in the courthouse instead of the downstairs meeting room of the county office building.

During emergencies, the basement conference room in the county office building is used to house an emergency operations center.

Bruce Paskoff, ofForestLake, asked what role the commissioners play during a disaster situation.

Commissioner Mary Ann Warren said the commissioners sign a disaster declaration, open the emergency operations center and then help bring necessary resources to the county.

Commissioner Michael Giangrieco, who serves as the commissioner liaison for the emergency management department, went on to explain their role as an “intermediary between people in trouble” and the agencies that can provide help.

Giangrieco said at one point during the disaster, the local Red Cross had asked for help at the state level but were not getting it.

The commissioner said he called upon Rep. Tom Marino regarding the matter and within a couple of hours the needed help was in motion to the county.

Giangrieco said the commissioners can help address issues that could go on for days if local officials don’t get involved.

Commissioner Leon Allen said the officials also helped show Red Cross volunteers, who were brought in from all over theUnited States, around the county.

The commissioners also thanked Marino for the time he took to tour the county and meet and speak with business and homeowners.

The resignation of Operations and Training Officer Scott Aylesworth in the Emergency Management department was accepted, with regret. Aylesworth’s last day will be Sept. 23.

More work around the courthouse complex was approved by the commissioners.

A proposal from Brown Hill Tree Company was accepted for the removal of one tree onLake Ave.and two trees onChenango St.for $2,500.

Patrick Seal Coating, ofNew Milford, was awarded the bid for sealing about 43,400 square feet of pavement in the following area: all blacktop surrounding the courthouse; the parking area by the treasurer’s office; the Probation lot (lower lot); courthouse rear lot; the lot by the glass walkway; Veterans’ Drive and the horseshoe by the old jail.

Cost for the sealing is $8,500. Patrick Seal Coating submitted the lowest qualified bid.

A proposal from Fruehan Construction, of Brackney, was accepted for repairs of the courthouse roof in several locations for $9,600. Giangrieco abstained from the vote.

The commissioners signed a two-year lease agreement with the Voluntary Action Council and Big Brothers/Big Sisters for office space in the county office building, effective Oct. 1.

Rent for the first year will be $217 per month; second year rent will be $233 per month.

The salary board also met immediately after the commissioners’ meeting.

The board approved a change in the hourly amount paid for mental health hearings (court appointed counsel) from $40 per hour to $100 per hour, per a recommendation from President Judge Kenneth Seamans. The line item is listed on the 2011 miscellaneous compensation schedule.