Susquehanna County Blog

For those who have been following the comments of the 7/25 post, the heading of this post comes as no surprise.  Without getting into the specifics of what may (or may not) have occurred between Attorney Raymond Davis, a county employee and the commissioners, the fact remains that a petition was filed against Attorney Davis which was shortly thereafter discontinued.  Several who read and write on this blog believe Attorney Davis was wrongly accused.  Based on the postings on this subject, this writer has to agree. 

As noted by justabumpkin, the law community as well as posters to this blog expressed grave concern about the potential for conflict of interest issues with the (now) minority commissioner.  It appears that their concerns were probably well founded.  One poster noted that this may be the tip of the iceberg.  Great.  Three and a half more years of this? 

There is a simple answer to the minority commissioner’s (or any commissioner for that matter) participation in the appeals board, where there is a conflict of interest.  In other counties, Lackawanna being the example here, they have a pool of private citizens who,  on a rotating basis, make up the appeals board.  Yes, they are paid.  However, in the case of Susquehanna County, a much smaller pool could be generated, and used where conflicts of interest or other inability of a commissioner to serve exists.  Thus, a full board could exist at all times.   In the long run, it would almost certainly be less expensive to the taxpayers than a suit against the county, such as we are currently probably facing from Raymond Davis. 

Now the ball is in Davis’ court.  If a suit is filed by Davis, it would cost the county taxpayers money to defend against.  This writer believes that the although Davis would have a reasonable chance to prevail, the cost to the taxpayers, and him professionally (money is NOT the issue here) could exceed a positive outcome.

Maybe the situation could be resolved by both Ms. Warren and Mr. Giangriecco  making a public apology to Mr. Davis and resolving to correct the conflict issues as they currently exist.  But that would be too simple…  

So, let the games continue with the taxpayers on the hook to pay for the egos involved here.  What a waste of your money and mine.

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From Thompson:

Susquehanna County Commissioners
July 23, 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 July 9, 2008 meeting. Second Commissioner

5. Motion by Commissioner to correct/approve the minutes of the July 17, 2008 special meeting.
Second Commissioner

Employee Years of Service Recognition: July - 5 Year Incremental Anniversaries. Joan Roberts, Prison, 15 years
Walter Welch, Prison, 20 years

6. Motion by Commissioner to ratify or approve the following:
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/08/2008 for $1,630.88 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/09/2008 for $199,433.95 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/15/2008 for $39,232.12 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/10/2008 for $106,513.67 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/23/2008 for $163,870.33 for Payroll Expenses
-approve the EFTPS payment dated 07/24/2008 for $59,479.30 for Federal Payroll taxes
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 07/23/2008 for $13,151.46 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-ratify the EFTPS payment dated 07/23/2008 for $7,205.77 for State Withholding taxes Second Commissioner

7. Motion by Commissioner to approve the following seminar requests and/or payment for seminar requests:
-Laura Watts, Director of Elections and David Yulke, IT Director, Dickson City, July 23, 2008, Pennsylvania ES&S User Group Meeting, cost $39.88. Second Commissioner

8. Motion by Commissioner to appoint Jennifer Morelli, Recycling Coordinator, as the Project Officer and primary contact with the Department of Environmental Protection during the completion of the Scope of Work for the 901 Municipal Waste Planning Grant dated February 19, 2008.
Second Commissioner
9. Motion by Commissioner to authorize the Commissioners to sign the State Food Purchase Program Agreement between Susquehanna County and Trehab, dated July 1, 2008. Second Commissioner

10. Motion by Commissioner to exonerate the Tax Claim Bureau from collecting delinquent taxes regarding the following, per the recommendation of Catherine Benedict, Tax Claim Director:
a. Great Bend Township, Parcel No. 071.00-1,002.00,004., name of Randy Osterhout, consisting of trailer on Lot 4 in Hallstead Park, assessed at $300.00. The Assessment office removed from the rolls 01/08 as the trailer is gone. Total taxes to be exonerated $135.71.
b. Choconut Township, Parcel No. 024.02-1,051.00,007., name of Edwin Bryant Sr., consisting of a trailer in Choconut Valley Mob Ct., assessed at $1,700.00. The Assessment office exonerated from rolls 07/08 for all year as the trailer is gone from the trailer court. Total taxes to be exonerated $196.56.
Second Commissioner

11. Motion by Commissioner to authorize the Commissioners to sign the agreements dated July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009 between the Susquehanna County Drug & Alcohol Commission and the following entities:
Drug & Alcohol Treatment Services, Scranton, PA Gateway Rehabilitation Center, Aliquippa, PA’
Second Commissioner

12. Motion by Commissioner to appoint the following to the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission:
Full Commission Appointments
Local Elected Officials: Commissioner MaryAnn Warren Commissioner Michael J. Giangrieco Commissioner Leon C. Allen

Members at Large: Dennis Phelps
David Darrow
Economic Development/
Planning Official: Katherine Shelly

Advisory Committee Appointments Economic Development: Robert Neira
Bill Dovin
Jack Taylor
Local Loan Review:
Tom Bush Rick Soden Jim Pietrowski

Rural Area Transportation:Joe Plonski Rudy Mattes Fred Benson

Workforce Development: Sam Anderson

Personnel Committee: Commissioner Leon Allen Commissioner Michael J. Giangrieco

Nominating Committee: Commissioner MaryAnn Warren Second Commissioner
13. Motion by Commissioner to adopt the Statement of Safety Policy, effective 01/07/2008.
Second Commissioner

Public Comment.
14. Motion by Commissioner to close the Commissioners’ Meeting. Second Commissioner
Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at am.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to close the Commissioners’ Meeting and open the Salary Board Meeting.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjourned at 9:40am. ATTEST: APPROVED:
Sylvia Beamer, Chief Clerk

CS-08-14 07-09-08
Commissioner Warren called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM in the Lower Conference Room in the County Office Building.
Susquehanna County Commissioners
Pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Present: Commissioners Warren, Allen and Giangrieco
10
Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to approve the minutes of the June 25, 2008 meeting. Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Employee Years of Service Recognition: July - 5 Year Incremental Anniversaries. Joan Roberts, Prison, 15 years
Walter Welch, Prison, 20 years

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to ratify or approve the following:
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 06/26/2008 for $332,913.08 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/02/2008 for $188,638.25 for General Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 06/26/2008 for $74,640.24 for CYS Expenses
-ratify the Precheck Register dated 07/09/2008 for $ 150,378.06 for Payroll Expenses
-approve the EFTPS payment dated 07/10/2008 for $ 55,996.59 for Federal Payroll taxes
-approve the EFTPS payment dated 07/10/2008 for $12,839.84 for Employee Retirement
Contribution
-approve the EFTPS payment dated 07/10/2008 for $6,804.28 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:
-Tracey Breslin, Children & Youth, Mayfield, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25, September 8, 9, 22, 23, October 6, 7, 20, November 6, 17, December 1, 2, and 15, 2008, January 5, 6, 21 and February 2, 2009, Charting the Course Series (15 module series), total cost $1060., cost to the County $212.
-Raymond Totten, Children & Youth, Mayfield, July 14, July 28, August 11, August 25, September 8, 9, 22, 23, October 6, 7, 20, November 6, 17, December 1, 2, and 15, 2008, January 5, 6, 21 and February 2, 2009, Charting the Course Series (15 module series), total cost $1060., cost to the County $212.
-Jeffrey Shoemaker, James Gulbin, Joseph Barry, Phillip Crisp, Lisa Vail, Sami Bourizk, and Allen Smith, Probation, Wallenpaupak, PA, July 8, 2008 Firearm Education and Training Course 6 - Deadly Force Response and Decision Making, total cost $56.00, cost to the County $0.00.
-Joseph Barry, Probation, Lansdale, PA, September 22-23, 2008, Armorer Certification - SIG Sauer Pistols, total cost $848.00, cost to the County $0.00.
-Michele Jerauld, Linda Daly and Brenda Landes, Domestic Relations, Wilkes-Barre, August 1, 2008, Medical Support Enforcement and Procedures, total cost $91.50 cost to the County $31.11.
-Christine Lee, Domestic Relations, Wilkes-Barre, August 4-August 15, 2008, New Hire Training, total cost $815.00, cost to the County $277.10.
-Cathy Benedict and Cindy Oleniacz, Tax Claim, State College, October 21, 2008October 24, 2008, 2008 Tax Claim Bureau Annual Conference, cost $1050.00. Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to accept the quote for bottled water for the County from the low bidder, Endless Mountain Water Co., Tunkhannock for the period 08/01/2008 through 07/30/2010. The bid is for $2.95 per 5 gallon bottle plus rental for coolers - cold only $5 per month - hot/cold $6.00 per month.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.
The other bid received was from J&J Springs, New Milford for $3.95 per bottle, no rental fees.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to allow the Commissioners to sign the agreements dated July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009 between the Susquehanna County Drug & Alcohol Commission and the following entities:
White Deer Run Inc. Williamsport, PA
Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. 901 6?‘ Avenue Altoona, PA
Pyramid Healthcare, Inc. 8257 h Avenue Altoona, PA
Choices Recovery Program Wilkes-Barre, PA
Choices At Nesbitt Kingston, PA
Eagleville Hospital Eagleville, PA Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to award the bid for carpeting in Children & Youth to Mainline Supply Corp., Binghamton, NY in the amount of $7,805. Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried. There was one other bid - Rug Fair Commercial and Industrial Inc. for $7590. plus floor patches up to $1700. Mainline Supply included the floor patching in their price.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to exonerate the Tax Claim Bureau from collecting delinquent taxes regarding the following per the request of Catherine Benedict, Tax Claim Director:
Dimock Township, Parcel No. 163.03-2,001.00,001., name of Bob & Rose Carey, consisting of a trailer on E. Bunnell Jr. land, assessed at $8700.00. Assessment removed from the rolls 05/01/2008 as the trailer is gone. Total tax to be exonerated $350.25.
Bridgewater Township, Parcel No. 161.08-1,042.00,012., name of David Rhodes, consisting of trailer on Lot 12 in Shady Lane Trailer Park, assessed at $12,400.00. Assessment office removed from the rolls 06/24/08 as the trailer is gone. Total tax to be exonerated $1887.16.
Lathrop Township, Parcel No. 240.00-1,055.00,006., name of Joseph Labour, consisting of a trailer on TGJSM LLC Land, Assessed at $2000.00. Assessment office removed from the rolls as gone. Total tax to be exonerated $135.63.
Oakland Township, Parcel No. 054.00-1,001.00,020., name of Robert F & Teri L Weida, consisting of a trailer in Oakland Trailer Park Lot 20, assessed at $500.00. Assessment office removed from the rolls as gone. Total tax to be exonerated is $111.33. Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to accept the bid from Mirabito for the period 08/01/2008 - 07/31/2009. The fixed price method will be used from October 1, 2008 through April 30, 2009 for #2 fuel oil at $4.63 per gallon and the fixed price method for dyed 500ppm kerosene for the same period at $4.99 per gallon. The Changing price per gallon will be used for the balance of the bid year and will be billed at Vestal - Valero terminal per gallon price plus a fixed differential per gallon of .23 cents for #2 fuel oil and the Vestal Conaco terminal per gallon price plus a fixed differential per gallon of .28 cents per gallon. 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: 14am.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
Sylvia Beamer, Chief Clerk Susquehanna County Commissioners

CS-08-15 07-17-08

Commissioner Warren called the Special meeting to order at 8:33AM in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room in the Susquehanna County Courthouse.

Pledge of allegiance to the flag.

Present: Commissioners Warren, Allen and Giangrieco

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to accept with regret the resignation of Kevin Pietriyk, 911 System Manager/Database Analyst, effective August 30, 2008. Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to accept the resignation of William Zick, No Till Specialist, effective July 26, 2008.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Allen to hire Amanda C. Russell, Montrose, to the open, full-time position of Assistant Director of Elections/Assistant Voter Registrar, 40 hours per week, Range 10, Rate $9.70 per hour as previously set by the Salary Board, with a six month probation period and benefits per the Residual Bargaining Unit Contract, effective hire date 07/21/2008, per the recommendation of Laura Watts, Director of Elections. Second Commissioner Giangrieco. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Public Comment.

Motion by Commissioner Giangrieco to close the Commissioners’ Meeting and open the Salary Board Meeting.
Second Commissioner Allen. Ayes: Unanimous. Motion carried.

Commissioner Warren declared the Commissioners’ meeting adjoumed at 8:35am. ATTEST: APPROVED:

Jul 25, 5:07 AM

According to published reports along with other sources, on July 16, our President Judge, Kenneth Seamans ruled that Minority County Commissioner Michael Giangrieco, Esq., is disqualified from the Assessment Appeals Board, regarding matters of Clean and Green.  The ruling was the result of Raymond Davis, Esq., filing a lawsuit on behalf of Rosemary, Todd and James Greenwood, in part requesting that Giangrieco be disqualified due to his involvement in multiple lawsuits against Cabot Oil and Gas, in which he is attempting on behalf of his clients to have gas leases voided.

 Congratulations to Attorney Davis for stepping up to the plate and calling foul. 

A legal ad in the Susquehanna Transcript today indicates there is a landman who will be holding a meeting in Susquehanna tomorrow to give information and try to get blocks of people to sign a gas lease.  I find it very interesting that they want to get even the smallest parcels signed up.  It indicates trying to create blocks of property owners in the Borough.  The ad is directed toward residents and business owners.  There are a significant number of owners who are NOT residents.  I wonder if they are specifically excluded or just poor wording in the legal. 

 It is fascinating that they are trying to get town parcels.  Maybe they (and possibly correctly) assume that because fuel oil is around $4.50 currently and climbing, that many will sign just to be able to pay their heating bill this winter. 

As Thompson noted previously, with 145 years of experience, they know more than we do. Do not sign a lease without knowing exactly what you are signing. If you think you do, you need to re-read it again, then get a qualified attorney to review and make changes in your favor.

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The attached comments to this post (below) contain some very interesting material.  Take the time to review them especially if you have any interest in considering a lease.

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 Your thoughts?

It is the understanding of this writer that today’s meeting was extremely short.  Would the readers who attended please post the facts here?  Also, the minutes from last meeting would be helpful.  Thank you.

 I thought the Commissioner MaryAnn Warren was supposed to relate the County’s position on specific aspects of the gas lease issues today.  Apparently if it was handled at all, it was just glossed over. 

First, Thank you to Thompson and Taxpayerpayingattention for the work of collecting and writing the minutes and agenda on this blog for all to see.  If you, the reader missed them, they are available here     A Very Good Suggestion Received Regarding Our County Commissioners Meetings   under the Comments.  In the future, I will try to remember to put up an entry for the agenda and minutes.

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The largest search requests on this site continue to be about gas leasing, gas wells, etc.  Does anyone have any updates to share.  If so, please just note yes, without details,  under the Comments for this entry and a new entry will be added for them.  Thank you!

Every year there is a parade in Montrose with fireworks in the evening.  Where else in the area are there similar events?  Please share here.