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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 1 - 1-3-1972 - COMMISSIONER MINUTE BOOK 1 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS NO. 1 Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa. , January 3, 1972 Michael R. Flynn, Frank Jones, Jr. , and Edward M. Paluso, elected County Commissioners of Washington County, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, at the Municipal Elec- tion held on Tuesday, November 2, 1971, met in the Office of the County Commissioners in the Courthouse, in the City of Washington, Pennsylvania, at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 3, 1972, being the first Monday of January following the said election, and in compliance with the provisions of the County Code, Article 5, Sections 502-503-504, for the purpose of organizing the Board of County Commissioners in order that each Commissioner could assume the respon- sibilities of their respective office, their required bonds having been approved and filed with the County Controller and the oaths of office of the said County Commissioners subscribed to before the Court of Common Pleas at 10:00 a.m. of the said Monday, January 3, 1972, and filed with the Prothonotary as required by the Act of Assembly. Also present being: Chief Clerk Murphy; Administrative Assitant Whalen; Mr. A. V. Capano; Mr, William C. Porter; Mr. Oliver N. Hormell; Mr. Patrick C. Derrico; Mr. John P. Liekar; Mr. Jack Merdian - WJPA; Reporter Robertson of The Observer-Reporter; Reporter Roule of The Monongahela Publishing Company; Reporter Liesch of The Brownsville Telegraph; Public Information Officer Huber; and Mrs. Michael R. Flynn. Roll call taken: Mr. Jones - Present; Mr, Paluso - Present; Mr. Flynn - Present. Mr. Flynn: Have all three (3) Commissioners complied with the statute in posting the neces- sary Bond with the Controller's Office and in filing the Oaths of Office? Mr. Murphy: Yes. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that Michael R. Flynn be appointed as the Chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, for a term of four (4) year . Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Abstained. Motion carried. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that Frank Jones, Jr. be appointed as the Secretary of the Washington County Board of Commissioners. j Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso,- Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. j Motion carried unanimously. I I I MINUTE B o U K BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that in the event of the absence- of the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Frank Jones, Jr. be appointed as the Acting Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, to conduct the affairs of the County. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yeg; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that Thursday of each week begin- ning at 10:00 a.m. be deeighated as the regular meeting date of the Board of County Commis- sioners. Roll call vote taken: Mr, Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that two (2) members of the Board of County Commissioners constitute a quorum, *empowered to act; this being in accordance with the County Code, Article 5, Section 504. Roll call vote taken: Mr, Jones - Yes; Mt. Palusb - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. In accordance with the County Code and in conjunction with the County Treasurer, Malcolm L. Morgan, it is hereby moved by Mr. Jones and seconded by Mr. Flynn, that the following Banks of Banking Institutions be named the depository of County Funds: Pittsburgh National Bank, Washington, Pennsylvania Mellon National Bank and Trust Company, Washington, Pennsylvania First National Bank of Washington, Washington, Pennsylvania and that Pittsburgh National Bank and First National Bank of Washington be notified of their selection as a depository of County Funds and be requested to furnish bonds in. a Depository Agreement in accordance with United States "Treasury Circular No. 92 and $420, 000. 00 ' respectively, to secure payment of deposits. Remarks: Mr. Flynn: Mr. Whalen, have the two (2)' Banks complied with the request? Mr. Whalen: Yes, they have both complied. Mr. Paluso: 'I would like to comment on this motion. It seems inconsistent to me to name three (3) Banks as depository of County Funds and only notify two (2) of the banks that they are to be depositories. I do not see the consistency. Either nomiriate two (2) Banks or notify all three (3) Banks if you are naming depositories. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - No. Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried. ms" , MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that J. V. Murphy be appointed as the Chief Clerk to the County Commissioners. Remarks: 1 i Mr. Paluso: I think that this appointment should be postponed since he is already an employee of the County. The rest of the employees are being retained on a temporary basis. I think Mr. Murphy should be included in this group. Recently, without my knowledge or consultation, j Mr., Whalen was appointed as Administrative Assistant to the Commissioners. My objection to i this move at this time in reference to Mr. Murphy is that I would like the duties and responsi- bilities outlined for the Administrative Assistant and the Chief Clerk, I, for one, do not know what responsibilities and duties have been delegated to each of these two (2) gentlemen. I would like that made specific prior to the appoiribient of Mr. Murphy or any other administrative appointment in this Office. Mr. Flynn: The County Code specifically provides that you appoint and I think there is a dis- tinction between the.Chief Clerk and any other office. We have no recourse and we shall appoin . We will comply with the existing statute. Mr. Paluso: By my reading I beg to disagree. It does not say that the Chief Clerk or any other should be appointed at the first meeting or re-organization meeting. The rest of the employees are being retained on a temporary basis and until these duties are specifically outlined, I canno go along with this motion. Mr. Flynn: I am sure that in due course and very shartly you will find out what the duties are of these two (2) gentlemen. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - No. Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that A. V. Capano, Esq. , be appointed as the County Solicitor. Roll call vote taken: - Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - No; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the following Agreement as submitted by County Solicitor Capano, be accepted: AGREEMENT I hereby stipulate and agree, in accordance with the provisions of the County Code of 1955, Section 901, to pay all fees, attorn 's fees and commissions received by me from every source, as County Solicitor, into the County Treasurer. Dated: ,January 3, 1972 /s/ A. V. Capano, County Solicitor 1 4 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes;.Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Capano: The County Code provides for the appointment of various assistant solicitors, , solicitors and attorneys for the departments under the County Government. It is the duty of the County Solicitor to make the recommendations for those offices to the Board of County Commis- sioners for their approval, Therefore, I make the following recommendations and requests, the Board of County Commissioners to approve the same: Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that Oliver N. Hormell, Esq., be appointed as Assistant County Solicitor; effective date to be January 3, 1972. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluuo, that Patrick C. Derrico, Esq. , be appointed as the Assistant County Solicitor for the Tax Claim Bureau; effective date to be January 3, 1972. Remarks: Note was made by County Solicitor Capano that the above action is a re-appoint- ment. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by. Mr. Flynn, that William. C. Porter, Esq. , be appointed as Solicitor for the Washington County Planning Commission, which includes Parks and Recreation and Flood Control, effective date to be January 3, 1972. Remarks: Mr. Paluso: Is this a new appointment? Mr. Capano: No, this is a replacement of one who already had that appointment. Mr. Paluso: Is there any reason for this: Mr. Capano: I am going according to the wishes of the Commissioners. I do not make the recommendations myself. Mr. Paluso: All three (3) Commissioners, Mr. Capano? Mr. Capano: No, not all three. Mr. Paluso: Since I have not been consulted on the replacement, there should be a reason for this action. In all due respect to Mr. Porter, since I have not been consulted, again I cannot go along with this appointment until reasons have been explanined to the public and to me. , I would like that done prior to my voting for Mr. Porter. MINUTE BOOK 5 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Palu.90 - No; Mr. Flynn :- Yes. Motion carried. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that John P. Liekar, Esq., be appointed for the Office of Public Defender, as Public Defender; .said action to be effective January 3, 1972. 1, Remarks: Note was made that Mr. Liekar has been the Public Defender. Mr. Liekar suc- ceeded Mr. Joseph Moschetta. j Roll call vote taken: i Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. 1 Motion carried unanimously. Chairman administered the oaths of office to the Chief Clerk, County Solicitor, Assistant Solicitors, and Solicitors and Attorneys. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that Geno Amanati be appointed as Insurance Broker of Record for the tenure of the four-year office. j Remarks: Mr. Paluso: Since I do not know Mr. Amanati and have not been informed of his duties or the reason for his retainment, he could be included on a temporary basis until further research can ,be obtained. I think that since we do have a large number of insurance brokers that we 1 should entertain letters, of request from them for this office and the appointment be judged on 1 I his interview and record. We owe it to the taxpayers that they be allowed to submit a letter I requesting this position. I have no reflection on Mr. Amanati. Mr. Flynn: The gentlemen has complied some years ago. You keep making references that you have not been informed—, The Party in power is the responsible party. That means Mr. I Jones and Mr. Flynn are the majority party and for the benefit of the people we are taking that responsibility. Mr. Paluso: Am I to understand this is a war, Mr. Flynn? I Mr, Flynn: It is not a war. I am quite sure that in the future there will be many things that I will occur on which you will not be consulted. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - No; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried. 1 Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that all other employees under the jurisdiction of the Washington County Commissioners as of t74W date, January 3, 1972, be retained on a temporary basis. (This action to be retroactive t'o January 1, 1972. ) I 6 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Roll call vote taken: Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the meeting adjourn. Meeting adjourn. THE FOREGOING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED: 1972 ATTEST: CHIEF CLERK Minute No. 2 Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa. , January 6, 1972 The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following mem- bers being present: Commissioners Paluso and Flynn. Absent being: Commissioner Jones - who was absent due to sickness. Also present being: Chief Clerk Murphy; County Solicitor .f Capano; Assistant County Solicitor Hormell; Administrative Assistant Whalen; Mr. John D. Anthony - Director of the Washington County Planning Commission; Mr. Clay Graham - Land Acquisition Agent for Washington County; Reporter Robertson and Reporter Budinger of The Observer-Reporter; Reporter RQule of The Monongahela Publishing Company; Reporter Liesch of The Brownsville Telegraph; and Public Information Officer Huber, Meeting called to order by Chairman and roll call taken: . Mr. Jones - Absent; Mr, Paluso - Present; Mr. Flynn - Present. Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions•to Minute No. 1, each Commissioner having received.a copy. (2 Corrections by Commissioner Paluso) = (1) On Page 2 - amended to read: Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that Michael R. Flynn be appointed as the Chairman of the Washington County Board of Commissioners, (2) On Page - amended to read:. Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that Geno Amanati be appointed as Insurance Broker of Record. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that Minute No. 1, as corrected, be approved, Remarks: MINUTE BOOK 7 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Mr, Flynn: There is a question in my mind, Mr. Paluso, as to if even the meeting was legal and whether you were even entitled to vote at the meeting. ; Mr, Paluso: You are the Chairman - that is for you to determine - I'm in the dark. Mr. Flynn: I just raised the question of the incompatability of offices, that's all, i Mr, Paluso: The resignation had been submitted, although there wasn't a meeting, so that is quite alright. Roll call vote taken: Mr, Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. i Motion carried unanimously. Assistant County Solicitor Hormell left the meeting. Report - by SMr, John D, Anthony Re: Strip Mining Permits J 3 Mr. ,Anthony: I had an opportunity to meet with Commissioner Paluso and Commissioner Jones yesterday to brief them on the activity which was related to the past action of the former Board of Commissioners concerning their objections to the Water and Strip Mine Permits which are or have been grai tdcbr are in the process of being granted or refused which relate to potential damage of the environment in or around Mingo Creek and Cross Creek County Parks, At the session yesterday I told them that the former Board of County Commissioners within the past week had asked the Planning Commission to do three things: (1) to delay the public hearing which was scheduled for January 6, 1972, so that Washington County would have an opportunity to prepare its evidence against the strip mining and water permits; (2) I was asked to secure all documentation possessed by the Department of Environmental Resources which relates to these permits, much of which we know to be negative; and (3) I was asked to arrange for the representatives of the Department of Environmental Resources and others to make a personal tour of these sites - in this case we are talking primarily of Mr. Guckert, who is in charge of the conservation aspects of granting of water and strip mining permits. I.am happy to inform you that the Public Hearing which relates to evidence which will be submitted by this County and others for and against these strip permits, has been delayed until January 20, 1972, so we will have time to prepare our case; secondly - Floyd Laubham met with Senator Murphy at a Council meeting in Speers last evening and we had talked with Senator Murphy by phone in here yesterday, and-last night he told Floyd that Walter Koehler of the Department of Mines will I bring the documentation concerning the Mingo Creek Strip Mining Permit on this tour that I am going to talk about in a minute. Thirdly, I am happy to report that Mr. Guckert and Mr. Koehler and also certain elected officials of the Legislature will be in Washington County on Monday, January 10, 1972, and.I was asked to prepare an agenda and get a bus so that a number of i' people could attend this tour and also prepare a list of people who might be interested in attenq` ing. We have made arrangements for the bus and it will leave at 9:30 a, m. on Monday, MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS January 10, 1972, from the Courthouse and I think the best way would be to proceed up Route 18 and pick up Mr. Guckert and Mr. Koehler at the Shantee Restaurant and then proceed to Cross Creek County Park to observe the one strip permit which was denied - the Geysegen permit - and from there go to observe the Bologna site and come back to Washington:- have . lunch at the Holiday Inn - and proceed on to Mingo Park and see the stripping permit which is involved there adjacent to Mingo Creek County Park. We have a list here of people we thought should be asked to attend. I understandthat I am permitted to ask the Press to attend and they would be included in this Tour, so that they can get a first-hand knowledge of what exactly is to go on here. So all arrangements at this point have been made. We did check with an_ Engineer and we found out that this Engineer could come on this tour if the documentation that Mr. Koehler brings is proper. He could make a competent verbal judgment on the documenta- tion concerning our course of action at the hearing on the 20th of January. The charge for this would be $200. 00 which includes his travel plus the time spent in the reviewing of documenta- tion in making the judgment on the documentation. Mr, Paluso: Just to fill you in, Mr. Flynn. We asked them to give us a little presentation on the bus. We thought that way we would save alot of time. Everybody would know what we were going to look at while we were going. Also, I did ask Mr. Anthony and Mr. Huber to come to the meeting in California last night concerning the ferry service. We made it a policy to hear what they said and at the same time we discussed that we thought the best procedure for us would be to invite the Fayette County Commissioners and two or three of their staff people to meet with us over here and discuss this thing and start over again. We are not as knowledge- able as they are on this subject. We asked them to come to a meeting here and I asked John Anthony to make the necessary arrangements. We got a "yes" answer but we do not know when. Mr. Anthony: We have not made any definite plans as of yet as to when. Correspondence - Mr. Murphy Chief Clerk informed the Board of the following checks which were received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: (1),Ck. #31-448832 in the amount of $2424. 00 received from the Governor's Justice Commission representing final payment on application no. SW-A-048-70 for increasing staff of Public Defender's Office. (2) Check #31-448830 in the amount of $2147. 00 recEi ved from the Governor's Justice Commission representing final payment on application no. SW-A-041-69 for contribution for Counselor at Jail. (3) Ck. #83-0857836 in the amount of $6330, 63 for Day .Care Contract #851 - Mon Valley United Health Services. (4) Check in the amount of $249, 648, 44 received from the Department of Revenue representing a refund of Liquid Fuels Tax to Counties. Chief Clerk read a copy of a letter under date of December 29, 1971, from York County Commissioner P, Joseph Raab directed to Mrs. Helene Wohlgemuth, Secretary of the MINUTE BOOK 9 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Department of Public Welfare. Copy o: the letter can be found on Page 11A, Mr. Paluso: I think the Commissioners should go on record - copy to Mr, P. Joseph Raab i and the Secretary of Welfare. I do not think that we should have to wait and subsidize their programs when they mandate them. They are either going to have to advance the money or we'll put a stop to the programs and see how they like that. These are their programs, not ours, and they cost our taxpayers our money. That means that we borrow money to make up for-their share until they get ready to pay it. I think we should write our own letter to the Sec- retary of Welfare and explain our position the same as this gentleman has. believe the Com- missioners should go on record giving them our position on this and let's give them, some either/ors for a change. Either they live up to their commitments or we will not finance their programs. - Mr, Flynn: .Your suggestion is well taken and will become a matter of record. We will draft the necessary letter confirming our position insofar as this gentleman is concerned. Mr. Paluso: I think that as your capacity, Mr. Flynn, with the State Association of County Commissioners, that this matter should be on your agenda. Mr. Flynn: I could not tell you offhand - I do have the agenda here at the meeting with me. But I can tell you that there is a two-day seminar and Welfare will take up the biggest part of one day. Assistant County Solicitor Hormell re-entered the meeting. Chief Clerk read a copy of a letter from Vinnedge M. Lawrence, Department of Biology - Washington and Jefferson College, directed to Dr. Maurice Goddard, Secretary, Department of Environmental Resources, which requested several questions to be answered about the operation of the Department of Environmental Resources in reference to the process- ing of some strip mining permits by DER. Said correspondence stated said questions, In . conclusion, correspondence urged the request of the Washington County Commissioners and. the Washington County Planning Commission to postpone the hearing of their objections to the granting of a strip mining permit to Erg, Inc. Correspondence listed reasons why such a post- ponement should be granted. Mr. Flynn: I would recommend that the Chief Clerk acknowledge:this letter. Mr, Anthony: This gentleman is on the Citizens .Committee that relates to the Department of Environmental Resources. He is a citizen of Washington. County and is very active in environ- mental problems. We took the responsibility of keeping him informed not only because of his relationship with DER but because of his work in environment in Washington County in the past. Mr. Paluso: I think you should notify him by letter that the continuance was granted and you would like him to accompany us on the tour. 10 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR , EDWARD M PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS New Business - Mr, Flynn Chairman read a copy of a Western Union communication directed to Mrs. Vlasta Draper, Secretary to Mr, Charles O. Bohner - Executive Director of the Washington County Civil Defense, which advised that the Washington County Commissioners should recommend the appointment of the Director for Civil Defense to be appointed by Governor Shapp and Direct r Gerstell. Communication stated that hence, the action would be considered an "appointment. " Mr. Flynn: I would like to recommend that the Commissioners submit the name of Commis- sioner Frank Jones, Jr. , as Director of Civil Defense for the County of Washington. Mr. Paluso: I would recommend that the preceding matter be tabled until the next regular board meeting of the Commissioners, in order that a full Board be present. Investment - Liquid Fuels Account: Mr. Whalen: As ,the agenda shows, we received a check in the amount of $294, 648. 44 from the Department of Revenue for the Liquid Fuels Account. We currently have approximately $90, 000. 00 balance in that account plus another Certificate of Deposit Investment in the amount of $100, 000. 00. I would like to recommend that pending a final checkee, that the sum of either $200, 000. 00 or $225, 000. 00 be invested in a Certificate of Deposit for 120 days. In checking the rates of this I received two (2) rates: Pittsburgh National Bank - 4 1/8% for 120 days and First National Bank and Trust Company - 5 1/4% for 120 days. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that the maximum amount possible of this money be invested at the higher interest rateToted under advisement of Mr, Whalen - at his discretion on the amount - subject to the approval of the Solicitor on the legality of this action. Remarks: Mr. Paluso: Is there any question at all, Mr, Solicitor? Mr, Capano: No, this has been a regular run-of-mind investment process. The only thing is that we will do this in conjunction with the Controller and Treasurer. Mr. Paluso: But I think that whenever you are dealing with the taxpayers' money, I think an Opinion of the Solicitor should go on record as to the legality of the action. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr, Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Solicitor - Mr. Capano Mr. Capano: I understand that you are ready for the borrowing of money in anticipation of taxe in order to pay current expenses. I do not know how much you are planning but the only thing you would need would be a Resolution authorizing the Solicitor to prepare the necessary papers and get the necessary quotes. MINUTE BD BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH G ON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PAL SO, OMMISSIONERS Mr. Whalen: The General Fund Account for last year ended up with a net balance of i $156, 000,00, I believe. We are fast approaching the first pay, period which is on Friday, January 7, 1972, The County Budget for 1972 has a provision for temporary borrowing on tax anticipation in the amount of $1, 500, 000.00. It would be my recommendation that the necessar Resolution be placed on the books to put the wheels in motion on temporary borrowing. This would be on a take-down basis, as needed. Moved by Mr. Flynn, seconded by Mr. Paluso, that the Washington County Commis- sioners go on record authorizing the borrowing and to draft the necessary papers and resolutio in conforming with the Bank's requirements and the County's requirements that the Washington County Commissioners borrow up to $1, 500, 000. 00 on a take-down basis , with the first initial step to be to borrow $250, 000. 00. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. A discussion was held by the Board in reference to hearings being scheduled in Court and the County Commissioners having no knowledge of such hearings. Chairman Flynn cited an incident which occurred on Tuesday, January 4, 1972, in which a hearing was scheduled and the Commissioners were unaware and had not received no such Court Order. Commissioner i i Paluso recommended to the County Solicitor that the Court be asked, out of courtesy to the Board of Commissioners, to schedule no hearings for Thursday mornings when regular and salary board meetings are scheduled. Meeting recessed. Meeting reconvened at 11:00 a.m. for the purpose of opening bids .for the purchase of one (1) 1972 3/4 Ton Pick-Up - 4 Wheel Drive Vehicle - American Made - to be delivered to the Washington County Airport, Washington, Pennsylvania, with the following members being present: Commissioners Paluso and Flynn. Also present being: County Solicitor Capano; Assistant County Solicitor Hormell; Controller Elish; Deputy Controller Gilbert; Chief Clerk Murphy; Administrative Assistant Whalen; Reporter Robertson and Budinger of The Observer- Reporter; Reporter Roule of The Monongahela Publishing Company; Reporter Liesch of The Brownsville Telegraph; Public Information Officer Huber; Mr, John Pankopf of Pankopk Ford , Sales, Inc. ; Mr, Ned Hunter of Beatty Buick, Pontiac, and GMC Truck Company; Mr. Howard I Livezey of Yenko Chevrolet; Mr. Tom Vankirk of George Stewart Motor Company; Mr. Haver- man of Mon Valley Equipment, Inc. ; and various other bidders. The following seven (7) bids were opened by Deputy Controller Gilbert and ready by County Solicitor Capano: 12 NUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMIS ERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS (1) Name of Bidder: Mon Valley Equipment, Inc. Address: R. D. #2 Charleroi, Pennsylvania 15022 Total Amount of Bid: $5126. 55 Bid Bond in the amount of $512. 66 accompanied bid. (2) Name of Bidder: George Stewart Motor Company Address: 42 E. Maiden Street Washington, Pennsylvania 15301 Total Amount of Bid: $4341. 44 Certified check in the amount of $435. 00 accompanied bid. (3) Name of Bidder: Pankopf Ford Sales, Inc. Address: 470 Washington Road Washington, Pennsylvania 15301 . Total Amount of Bid: $5094. 00 Bid Bond in the amount of $525. 00 accompanied bid. (4) Name of Bidder: Beatty Buick, Pontiac & GMC (Truck Company Address: 71 Murtland Avenue Washington, Pennsylvania 15301 Total Amount of Bid: $4689. 00 Certified check in the amount of $475.00 accompanied bid. (5) Name of Bidder: Yenko Chevrolet Address: W. Pike Street Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317 Total Amount of Bid: $4298. 00 Certified check in the amount of $429. 80 accompanied bid. (6) Name of Bidder: Washington International Truck Sales & Service Inc. Address: 1105 Fayette Street Washington, Pennsylvania 15301 Total Amount of Bid: $5200. 00 Certified check in the amount of $520. 00 accompanied bid. (7) Name of Bidder: Donora Motor, Inc. Address: First & Meldon Avenue Donora, Pennsylvania 15033 Total Amount of Bid: $4487.91 Certified check in the amount of $450. 00 accompanied bid. Chairman explained the policy adopted by the Board of Commissioners on the awarding of contracts - bids are opened in accordance with advertisement at the designated date and hour, contracts awarded one week later, giving the Solicitor and the necessary persons involved an opportunity to review all bids received. MINUTE BOOK 13 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR, EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that all bids be tabled for further study until a tabulation can be made by the Solicitor. Contract to be awarded or rejected on Thursday, January 13, 1972, at 10:00 a.m. or shortly thereafter. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. j i Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Flynn, that the meeting adjourn. Meeting adjourned. THE FOREGOING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED: 1972 ATTEST: CHIEF CLERK I I PAGE 11-A December 29, 1971 i Honorable Helene Wohlgemuth, Secretary Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120 { Dear Secretary Wohlgemuth: This is to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of December 6, 1971 in which you say "I am pleased to advise you that you may anticipate (now received) receiving $102, 381. 12, under the payments to Counties for Child Welfare Services Program. " You also state, "this payment is for the two quarters in the period of July 1, 1971 to December 31, 1971. " This is to inform you that the Commissioners of York County, are not pleased, to anticipate a check in the amount of $102, 381, 12. The irresponsible, unheard of, undependable, administration of public funds by your department, borders on the scandalous. No county government in the State of Pennsylvania can budget intelligently or objectively if they depend on any financial commitments made by your Department of Welfare. I' In 1970, your department approved the budget item of $418, 941. 00 as the state share 1 for our York County Child Welfare Services program for 1971. This budget was approved by the Department of Welfare in its entirety about a year ago. For the first twd,quarters in 1971, York County received $188, 141. 23 toward this commitment. Your letter of December 6, 1971 states we can expect another $102, 381. 12. (Now Received). This is $128, 00. less than the commitment made for our budget in 1970 for our 1971 fiscal year. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare approved irl still another area, the Mental-Health/Mental Retardation Program budget for York and Adams Counties. Up to this i time we have received payment for one quarter only, and for the past four weeks the York County Government, through the tax payers of York County, have been subsidizing, the state Welfare Departments financial responsibility, which now amounts to $190, 000. 00. At today's official meeting, the Count Commissioners again appropriated $40, 000.. 00 to fund the states share of our joint MH/MR Program ! It surely seems as though, your department could care less about keeping financial commitments made, and, official approvalof budgets given, by your department prior to the beginning of any fiscal year! As far as I am concerned, having been a County Commissioner for four years, (and I know that County Officials all over the State are of the same opinion), financial commitments -made and official approval of any budget, funded jointly by your Depart- ment of Welfare and the participating Counties, is absolutely worthless and undependable! i 14 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS With all these deficits, defaults,, and financial commitments, not kept by your De- partment for our 1971 fiscal year; a Regional Director in the Department of Welfare informed our Director of Children Services that there would be an increase in salaries for all clerical I and professional staff in the Department of Child Welfare approximately 12 to 18% increase in salaries. This regional Director said these salaries are "mandated. " This is one of the most galling, ridiculous, autocratic and dictatorial statements to come from a Director in your de- partment; telling County Governments how much they must pay; coming at a time when the Wel- fare Department, itself cannot keep its own financial commitments. When the department of Public Welfare and its administrative staff feel their power supersedes that of the National Governments, Wage and Price Board and all duly elected officials, then we have reached a day of reckoning in the state of Pennsylvania, to bring the Welfare De- partment to its senses ! The time is long since past, when the elected members of the state legislature and the executive branch of State Government, exercise the authority placed in them by the electorate, of the State of Pennsylvania, expecting good sound business administration in the Department of Welfare; they must bring to a halt the irresponsible, shocking and careless administration of approximately 1/3 of Pennsylvania citizen's hard-earned tax dollars. As chairman of the Salary Board-of York County, I challenge and defy any appointee in your department to use the word "mandate" so recklessly! You can be assured, that these increases will not be granted during my term as Chairman of the York County Salary Board! This may have been a popular statement for your regional Director to make, to the Directors of Children's Services in the various counties. However, the regional Director has not the funds to pay these increases or the authority to "mandate" them. County Governments must and shall maintain some semblance of uniformity, in pay scales, for comparable responsibili- ties, and qualifications required in the many positions in all departments of county Government. The Department of Welfare of the State of Pennsylvania, being the second largest _spender of public funds in the state, must and shall come under the control of the legislature of the state of Pennsylvania, the same as every other department ! Elected Officials,-citizens and Taxpayers are thoroughtly aroused at the irresponsible, scandalous operation of the Penn- sylvania Department of Welfare, and rightly so! It is unbelievable, after budgets are adopted, approved and commitments made by your department for ensuing fiscal years, millions of dollars can be spent, by various admini- strative personnel in your department for abortions, food stamps, free legal service, etc; (and forgetting any and all prior financial commitments made, to each and every county in Pennsylvania), merely by directives, rules, regulations, and orders issued and approved by Department Personnel, Elected Officials and concerned citizens everywhere can readily under- stand, I am sure, why your department in the current fiscal year will overspend budget esti- mates by approximately $70, 000, 000. 00 according to reports announced in all segments of the news.media. This is indeed a shocker, coming on top of your department's not meeting, and cutting financial commitments made to every County Government in Pennsylvania, for the state's share of caring for dependent and neglected children, and Mental Health/Mental Retard- ation Services. You can be assured that I shall join thousands of our citizens, concerned elected officials and local leaders fighting, for better supervison and administration, of the scandal ridden department of Public Welfare in the state of Pennsylvania. After four years of frustra- tion, I have finally decided to join the fight ! Most Sincerely, /s/ P. Joseph Raab cc: Honorable Ralph W. Hess, Senator Honorable Eugene R. Geesey, State Representative Honorable Raymond L. Havis, State Representative Honorable John Hope Anderson, State Representative Honorable Standord Lehr, State Representative Robert Budd, Ex. Dir. of Pa. State Association of Counties Each Board of Comm. in the remaining 66 Counties in the State of Pennsylvania Robert Boyer, Dir, DPW Region III Office of MH/MR Dept. of P.W. Ora Gruver, Director of Children's Services