Susquehanna County Blog

Did any reader attend this meeting?  If so, please share with us the pertinent details.    Thank you.

According to at least one person who was at the last Susquehanna County Commissioners meeting as well as published reports, a number of attendees walked out of the meeting due to the apparent unwillingness of the commissioners to share meaningful information from a vendor who was presenting at the time.

 Will anyone who attended that meeting please expand on this?  Thank you.

The readers and contributors of and to this blog have been great over the past year.  Yes, it has been one whole year since this blog was started.  During the year, we have covered a lot of topics, had some heated discussions and even helped others with understanding alternate positions. 

This writer has been so busy recently that the updating of this blog has suffered.  For that, I appologize.  However, there is much going on which needs to be discussed, so with your support, we will get re-started.

For those of you who don’t remember, Annette Senior was the first Economic Development Director we had in Susquehanna County. 

In 2004, she was attacked by a bear in her back yard. 

In February of this year, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor which is quite agressive.  Of course all this has been devistating on her family emotionally and financially. 

There will be an “Italian Fest” benefit dinner for Annette on Sunday September 28, 2008 from 1 - 6 PM at the Great Bend - Hallstead American Legion.  Lots of food, games, live music and other ways to help support Annette and the expenses which are being incurred. 

Tickets are $10 for adults, under 12 $5 and under 5 are free. 

If you would like to make a monetary donation, you may do so at any branch of Peoples National Bank.  The account name is Annette Senior Benefit Fund.

Please take this opportunity to show Annette and her family what kind of support we have for our fellow Susquehanna County neighbors.  Attached below is a flyer and a letter which you should feel free to reproduce and share with everyone you know.  Thank you. 

Annette Senior Letter                                      Annette Senior Benefit Dinner Flyer    

Appearing in today’s Binghamton Press.

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080906/NEWS01/809060344/1001/news

It appears the public officials aren’t thinking about the public trust any more in Upstate New York than they are here.

With the amount of money involved in this “play”, why haven’t local officials, among a hundred other items, when leasing public land, made sure they residents of the affected boroughs and school districts made sure that natural gas would be available at market prices for the residents/schools?  The argument that it would cost too much is ridiculous. 

So when will we have a public investigation of the lack of support, uninformed choices and misuse of the public trust of our local, county and state officials here?  They have effectively given away what is potentially the largest single asset they hold - other than our clean water. 

You aren’t holding your breath are you?  You may need to before it’s all over…

Your thoughts

The following was received from “Thompson”.  Thank you.

Editor’s Note: There appear to be pages missing in this document. It is reproduced here as received from the County Clerk.

Susquehanna County Commissioners
August 27, 2008 Agenda

1. Commissioner Warren called the meeting to order at AM in the Lower Conference room in the

County Office Building

2. Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

3. Present: Commissioners Warren, Allen and Giangrieco

4. Motion by Commissioner to correct/approve the minutes of the August 13, 2008 meeting.
Second Commissioner

5. Motion by Commissioner to ratify or approve the following:
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/14/2008 for $75,215.64 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/20/2008 for $229,563.28 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/26/08 for $80,584.99 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/20/2008 for $156,047.19 for Payroll Expenses
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/21/2008 for $56,693.17 for Federal Payroll taxes
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/20/2008 for $12,948.96 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/20/2008 for $6,893.86 for State Withholding taxes

Second Commissioner

6. Motion by Commissioner to approve the following seminar requests and/or payment for

seminar requests:
-Deanna Wasko, Children & Youth, Scranton, September 19, 2008, The Children are Watching - Violence

in the Home, total cost $158.00, cost to the County $31.60.
-Joseph Barry, Probation, State College, September 10, 2008, Reentry Issues, total cost $311.00,

cost to the County $0.00.
-Warden Phillip King, Prison, State College, September 10, 2008, Reentry Issues, cost $66.00.
-Lisa Vail, Probation, Scranton, September 19, 2008, The Children are Watching - Violence in the

Home, total cost $175.00, cost to the County $0.00.
-Richard Kamansky, Tom Button, Mary Noldy and Joan Burman, Lake Harmony, September 19, 2008,

Valuation of Pennsylvania Minerals, cost $100.00.

Second Commissioner
7. Motion by Commissioner to accept, with regret, the resignation of DeLores Davis, Children

& Youth, effective September 6, 2008.

Second Commissioner

8. Motion by Commissioner . to adopt Ordinance 2008-01, an amendment to Ordinance 2005-01,

the Susquehanna County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, per the request of the

Susquehanna County Planning Commission. This amendment is to add a section to the Ordinance

regulating Wind Energy Facilities.

Second Commissioner

Robert Templeton, Susquehanna County Planning Department, is on hand to answer questions.
Public Comment.

9. Motion by Commissioner to close the Commissioners’ Meeting.
Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at am/Pm

————————————————————————————————
Personnel Committee: Commissioner Leon Allen Commissioner Michael J. Giangrieco

Nominating Committee: Commissioner MaryAnn Warren
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to adopt the Statement of Safety Policy, effective 01/07/2008.
Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Public Comment.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to close the Commissioners’ Meeting. Second Commissioner Allen.

Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at 9:1 !am.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Sylvia Beamer, Chief Clerk Susquehanna County Commissioners

CS08-17
08-13-08

Commissioner Warren called the meeting to order at 9:OOAM in the Lower Conference room in the

County Office Building.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Present: Commissioners Warren, Allen and Giangrieco

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2008 meeting.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Employee Years of Service Recognition: August - 5 Year Incremental Anniversaries.
DeLores Davis - Children & Youth -10 years
Allen Luce - Maintenance - 10 years

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to ratify or approve the following:
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/23/2008 for $281,035.11 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/30/2008 for $122,105.39 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/07/2008 for $60.00 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/07/2008 for $139,020.02 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/28/2008 for $102,160.44 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/11/2008 for $63,413.46 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/06/2008 for $151,725.18 for Payroll Expenses
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/07/2008 for $56,672.71 for Federal Payroll taxes
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/06/2008 for $12,979.25 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/06/2008 for $6,873.39 for State Withholding taxes
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 08/12/2008 for $14,964.94 for Payroll Expenses
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/13/2008 for $5,221.22 for Federal Payroll taxes
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/12/2008 for $1,616.90 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 08/12/2008 for $648.70 for State Withholding taxes

Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to approve the following seminar requests and/or payment for seminar

requests:
-Ray Osbum, Children & Youth, Mayfield, PA, September 18,19, October 3, 17, 30, 31, 2008, Northeast

Region Legal Series: #205 Safety, Permanency & Well Being Overview, Legal Mandates in PA, The Child

Protective Service Law, The Juvenile Act and Going to Court, Liability and Risk Management in Child

Welfare Services, total cost $348.00, cost to the County $69.60.
following, extending the termination date of the 2007-2008 contracts from June 30, 2008 until
such time the rate for the Fiscal Year 2008-2009 is settled:

National Mentor Healthcare LLC dba Pennsylvania Mentor
PA Treatment and Healing Center
Children’s Home of Easton
St. Michael’s School
Loftus Vergari & Associates Inc.
House of Light, Inc.
Viaquest Behavioral Health
Devereaux
NHS Youth Services
Susquehanna House

Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to authorize the Commissioners to sign the agreement between,

Susquehanna County, Michelle R. Graziano, a Caseworker for Children & Youth, and the University of

Pittsburgh, which will allow Michelle Graziano to participate the in Child Welfare Education for

Leadership program. This will allow Ms. Graziano to pursue a Masters Degree at no cost to herself

or the County. Ms. Graziano will be required to work for the County for a period of time to be

specified upon her graduation.

Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to authorize the Commissioners to sign the maintenance agreement

with Guyette Communications for repairs and routine maintenance for telephones in the Prison for a

monthly service charge of $30.00, per the recommendation of the Susquehanna County Prison Board.

Second Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to authorize the Commissioners to sign the agreement with Northeastern

Eye Institute agreeing that Northeastern Eye Institute will provide medical services that are usual

to the Institute to the inmates at the Prison and the Institute will accept the Medicare fee

schedule as payment for services, per the recommendation of the Susquehanna County Prison Board and

Cost Management.

Second Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Commissioners Warren and Allen. Nay: Commissioner Giangrieco.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to authorize the Commissioners to sign the Mental Health Mental

Retardation Program, Mental Retardation Annual Program Plan and Budget Request for Fiscal Years

2009-2010.

Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to hire Nathaniel Williams, Lanesboro, to the open, part-time,

non-union position of Drug/DUI Task Force County Detective, $13.00 per hour, no benefits, effective

date to be determined, per the recommendation of District Attorney Jason Legg. This position is

contingent upon receiving grant funding.

Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to hire James Smith, Meshoppen, to the open, part-time, non-union

position of Drug/DUI Task Force County Detective, $13.00 per hour, no benefits, effective date to

be determined, per the recommendation of District Attorney Jason Legg. This position is contingent

upon receiving grant funding
.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to hire Marcia Borosh, Montrose, to the open part-time position

of Clerk Typist in the Drug & Alcohol Department, Range 6, Rate $7.75 per hour, 19.5 hours per

week, six month probation period with no benefits, effective August 14, 2008, per the

recommendation of Robin Kaminski-Waldowski, Program Administrator.

Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to hire Stephen Janoski, Montrose, to the open, full-time

position of Systems Manager/Database Analyst, Range 14, Rate $12.14 per hour, 40 hours per week,

six month probation period and benefits per the Residual Bargaining Unit Contract, effective date

to be determined by 911 Coordinator, per the recommendation of Art Donato, 911 Coordinator.

Second Commissioner Warren. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Public Comment.
Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to close the Commissioners’ Meeting.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at 9:29am.

ATTEST: APPROVED:
Sylvia Beamer, Chief Clerk Susquehanna County Commissioners

This is an article which ran in Newsweek dated 8/20/2008. 

In the past, there have been discussions on this blog regarding what county officials can do to protect our citizens.  This article has one Colorado county discussing implementing a regulation which would require the drilling company to disclose the contents of fracing fluid in the event emergency room workers were exposed.  This should extend to anyone who has been exposed to these carcinogenic chemicals. 

http://www.newsweek.com/id/154394/page/1

The medical personnel in the area need to be brought up to speed regarding treatment, handling and personal exposure of people who have been contaminated with these chemicals.  

IT’S TIME FOR OUR COUNTY, TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OFFICIALS, HEALTH CARE WORKERS, VOLUNTEER FIRE, AMBULANCE AND OTHER RELATED PERSONNEL TO BE TRAINED IN WHAT TO LOOK FOR, HOW TO RESPOND AND WHAT PRECAUTIONS NEED TO BE TAKEN “WHEN - NOT IF” THESE INDUSTRIAL “ACCIDENTS” OCCUR. 

Obviously, this is occuring in other areas of the country, it will occur here.  Will we be ready?  Will our elected officials do anything to protect us?

Here is the link:

http://www.scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/08/25/news/sc_times_trib.20080825.a.pg1.tt25water_s1.1882104_top2.txt

“Currently no way to treat million of gallons of wastwater in NEPA” (Scranton Times-Tribune 8-25-2008)

OP-ED IN SCRANTON TIMES 

Finally, there is some notice in the regional media regarding the potential problems with fracing gas wells.  Here is the link:

http://www.scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/08/23/editorial/sc_times_trib.20080823.a.pg12.tt23edit1_s1.1892634_edi.txt

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY RAILROAD AUTHORITY 

One fairly simple way to get rid of most of the frac water is to contract with an approved recycling plant (the nearest is in Western, PA) and send it out there in rail tank cars.  Certainly it would be much more efficient than using trucks and a whole lot more ecologically sound than building retention ponds or injection wells.  Shipping could occur from the proposed rail transload facility in the New Milford area.

 Oh wait, no it couldn’t either.  Our fine county commissioners have not seen fit (other than minimal lip service) to support the railroad authority at all.  Maybe the Central Bradford Progress Authority (the economic development arm of Susquehanna County) could work with them to get some funding for this project. 

No wait, that won’t happen either.  Anthony Ventello, the executive director of the Central Bradford Progress Authority was scheduled to attend a recent meeting of the railroad authority.  He never showed.  He was immediately called by a commissioner and made some lame excuse for not attending.  Over the past couple of years, both the current and past commissioners have directed Ventello to work with the railroad authority.  According so some current and past members, he won’t even respond to written correspondence sent him by the railroad authority.  Just remember, we taxpayers are paying for his services (or lack of same).  It is this same lack of action on the part of former commissioner Roberta Kelly and former and current commissioner MaryAnn Warren which caused the railroad authority to lose a $2.5 million release of funds to create a transload facility.   This has lead to the loss of  some needed infrastructure. 

As has been noted here previously, commissioner Michael Giangrieco has never supported the railroad authority - from the time when he was county solicitor and wrote this letter:

letter-from-michael-giangreco-4-8-2003-stating-no-muni-code-for-rr-authority.PDF

Obviously, there is no commitment to railroad related economic development in this county. 

GAS LEASES AND WELLS 

Going back to the op-ed piece, not knowing what will happen with your legislators regarding injection wells, etc., you may want to get a really good baseline water test on you private water well before a gas well is fraced in the area.  Also, it wouldn’t hurt to keep tabs on John Hanger, the next secretary of Environmental Protection in Pennsylvania. 

It has been said that Chesapeake and one or two others have stopped writing leases in Susquehanna County.  It is the understanding of this writer that Chesapeake does not have any drilling permits in the area.  So, are they just going to sell their existing leases (at a substantial profit of course) or just wait? 

Apparently the newest leases offered by some companies have finally gotten rid of the arbitration clause.  This is really a win for the landowners.  But don’t rush off to sign.  There are still the above noted environmental issues as well as the fact that there isn’t enough money or percentage offered yet. 

If you don’t NEED the money, don’t sign.  If you can wait, the numbers will only go up, especially after some of these wells are connected to the transmission line.

Here is the link to the map of gas wells, permits for wells and permits to connect to the Tennsessee Gas Transmission Pipeline in the area:

 http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=109081933932637779023.00044fb7409fbc47fd65d&ll=41.739297,-75.815449&spn=0.111183,0.243244&z=13

This map is updated on a regular basis.  By the way, it is not the product of the author of this blog or anyone associated with this blog.  So, thank the author, Railroad - RR,  for all the work it takes to keep this map updated. 

Your thoughts?

I had a chance to go to the Harford Fair the other day.  Although nothing changes much there, at least not quickly, (of course over the years it has changed a great deal) I still like going there as it is sort of like an “old home week”.  Here I get to run into neighbors and other acquaintances I don’t see at many other times of the year, as well as put on a few pounds for winter (always have to get a Montrose Metors Milk Shake).  Maybe the best way to descibe the fair is “comfortable”.  You pretty much know what to expect, and you get it.  This is not meant to be anything but complementary to the Board of Driectors of the Harford Agricultural Society and the various volunteers and paid help which put on this event.  Over the years,  it has become almost seamless.  And that, by itself is a huge credit to these women and men. 

151 years is a long time.  It is really easy to dismiss the whole thing, especially if you grew up here.  Over the years, I have heard the comment “Just like the Harford Fair, nothing to it!” 

In reality, nothing could be further from the truth, we need to realize what a treasure we have here and support it fully!  See you at the Harford Fair!