Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 48 - 12-14-1972 - COMMISSIONER410 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS THE FOLLOWING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED ATTEST: , 1972 CHIEF CLERK Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa., December 14, 1972 The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following members being present: Commissioners Jones and Paluso. Absent being: Commissioner Flynn. Also present being: Administrative Assistant Whalen; Mrs.. Helen Miller of the League of Women Voters; Reporter Roule of The Monongahela Publishing Company; Reporter Robertson of The Observer -Reporter; and Mr. Earl Bugaile of WKEG Radio. Meeting called to order by Acting Chairman and roll call taken: Mr. Jones - Present; Mr. Paluso - Present; Mr. Flynn - Absent. Acting Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions, or omissions to Minute No. 47, each Commissioner having received a copy. as read. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones, that Minute No. 47 be approved, Roll call vote taken: Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Jones - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. (Mr. Sperring entered the meeting. ) Reports - Mr. Jones (Mini Buses) Commissioner Jones reported that he met with Mr. Krajsa from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to discuss a new program which will provide mini buses in the four - county area. It will provide for rural bus service without any cost to anyone. It is strictly state funds and amounts to around $85, 000 and will be funded for one year. The service to be provided runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a. m, until 4:30 p, m. All one has to do is mak an appointment a week in advance, and they will pick you up. The number to call is 800-542- 0366. They will also provide transportation for those on jury duty. (County Treasurer Malcolm Morgan entered the meeting.) Commissioner Paluso stated that getting back to the continuing problem of the Monongahela Valley proposed ferry crossings at the three locations suggested quite awhile back, there has been word put out that these funds that were reserved by the State to be used in this project, if and when it ever came to pass, would no longer be available after January 1. E MINUTE BOOK 411 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS 1 He instructed Mr. Whalen to make a call to Harrisburg after the meeting to find out if this is true. Also, he said that we should have a complete turnover of all documents and reports from the Ferry Commission by next Tuesday in the event that this is true so that they .can make up their minds and have sufficient time in the remainder of this year to indicate to the State that they intend or do not intend to use these funds for the. ferry service. Then the Board will be able to make a decision at their next meeting. Mr. R. W..Sperring, Secretary, Washington County Industrial Development Board, reported on the progress made by the Washington County Industrial Development Authority since it was created by the County Commissioners in August, 1969. Mr. Sperring stated that the other members of the Authority Board are: Robert C. Arthurs, Chairman; Americo V. Troiano, Vice Chairman; F. J. Buckley, Treasurer; and Michael T. Chromulak, Assistant Secretary -Treasurer. Mr. Sperring stated that the first project to come before the Authority in 1970 was the $3 million expansion program of Fort Pitt Bridge Works in Canonsburg. This plant expansion was part of a multi -million dollar improvement program to enable Fort Pitt Bridge Works to fabricate larger structures and become more competitive in the structural steel market. The project was approved, and the expansion program was completed early in 1971. Mr. Sperring then went on to state further accomplishments made by the Authority. ThE Authority has now financed $9, 335, 000 worth of projects, with new payroll in excess of $14, 000, 000 and 190 new jobs in addition to stabilizing employment. Mr. Sperring then pre- sented to the Board a check in the amount of $1, 000 which represented the money that the Authority had been allocated to get themselves started. Mr. Paluso: I would propose that this $1, 000 be added to our contemplated revolving Industrial Land Acquisition Fund. (Mr. Sperring left the meeting.) Correspondence: Mr. Whalen Mr. Whalen informed the Board and all those present of the receipt of a check in the amount of $595, 355, 00 in connection with Federal Revenue Sharing. (Transfer) Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones, that the amount of $115, 000.00 be transferred from the Capital Reserve Account to the Industrial Development Account for the Crile Site; subject to Court approval. (Bills) Roll call vote taken: Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr, Jones - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. bills: Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones, authorizing the payment of the following 412 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS 1. Engineered Communications, Inc. - $3, 020. 00 2. Children's Hospital - $146. 00 - for dental services for Wendy Gallo 3. Tax Refund - IN RE: Refund for Personal Property Tax - Day, H Vance & Madge, 445 Palm Street, Washington, Pa. 15301 ... that refund voucher in the amount of $36. 00 be made payable to Day, H Vance & Madge, 445 Palm St., Washington, Pa.; said refund to cover a portion of the Personal Property tax filed and paid for the year of 1972. For the above year, Day, H Vance filed his personal property return with Washington County, including First National Bank &, Trust Co. Bond and paid tax on same. Recent information was received that this bond is exempt. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Jones - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of December 5, 1972, from the Greater Canonsburg Public Library which expressed the Board of Directors appreciation to the County Commissioners for their recent financial assistance to said Library. They also requested the Board's continued assistance for the year 1973. Letter stated that the Board's financial support is necessary to enable the Library to increase its services to the demanding public. Mr. Paluso: I think we should hold these in abeyance until we decide on the proposal presented, by the Citizens Library and until we have a definite form of aid. I think it would be a good idea to send copies of these requests to Mr. Lyons so that he could keep these together becausE he is making up the proposal for County aid to libraries. Mr. Paluso stated that he received a call from Senator Hugh Scott's office inform- ing him that the old Charleroi Post Office Building has been declared surplus property by the postal service which now opens the door for the Borough to try to acquire this property for a public library facility. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of December 7, 1972, from the Peter; Township Library which stated that it has just come to the attention of the Peters Township Library Board that certain libraries in the county are receiving county funds in support of their libraries. Letter asked if there are any reasons why said Library should not also re- ceive such assistance and also vh at formalities do they have to go through to be added to the list of libraries already receiving county funds. Mr. Jones: I think this should be handled exactly as the other one. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of December 5, 1972, from the De- partment of Transportation which advised the Board of Opinion #235 issued by Miss Anne X. Alpern, Attorney General of Pennsylvania, on February 16, 1961, relative to the use of equip- ment by a Board of County Commissioners for purposes other than bridge or road maintenance MINUTE ■■ 413 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, .JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS --c activities. Letter cited the following excerpt from Miss Alpern"s opinion which clarified the situation currently facing the Washington County Board of Commissioners: "That any road building equipment so purchased may not be devoted exclusively to county road purposes is of no moment. There is no requirement that such equipment must stand idle during periods when it is not needed. It is sufficient that the equipment is purchased for use in county road construc- tion and maintenance activities and available whenever necessary in connection therewith. " Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of.December 7, 1972, from the Borough of Donora - RE: Thompson Ave. Bridge (overpass). Letter stated that the officials of the Borough of Donora have been in contact with PennDOT in Harrisburg, Pa., relative to the Thompson Ave. Bridge (overpass) project in the Borough of Donora. They have received con- firmation from Mr. Robert Mueser, Deputy Chief Highway Engineer of PennDOT, that their plans and specifications would be reviewed. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of December 5, 1972, from the Pennsyl- vania State Association of County Commissioners - Subject: Personal Property Tax Status of Standard Oil Company. Correspondence stated that in a substantial number of ]Pennsylvania counties, the Personal Property Tax paid by investors in Standard Oil Company stock accounts for a considerable portion of the total tax revenue received by counties. Standard Oil Company is changing its name from Esso to Exxon, and it is reported the company intends to register with the Commonwealth to pay the capital stock or franchise tax which will have the effect of exempting the holders of Standard Oil Company stock from payment of the Personal Property Tax. Letter then stated that the Corporation Tax Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, which is the office where Standard Oil Company would register its intent to pay the Pennsylvania capital stock or franchise tax, had advised that they have received no indication at this point from Standard Oil concerning its intention to take that step. They have further advised that if the step was taken now, it would hardly be possible that it could be completed before January first -- the date when taxpayers list their tax obligations for the Personal Property Tax. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of December 8, 1972, from David W. Sweet, Planner II, Governor's Justice Commission, in regards to Mr. Flynn's expressed sup- port for the development of a seminar program designed to bridge the information gap between criminal justice personnel and the various human service agencies. Mr. Sweet ,stated that Judge DiSalle recommended to him that a meeting be held off until after the first of January due to scheduling problems relating to the holiday season, criminal court, and the budget dis- cussions in which the Commissioners are engaged. Mr. Sweet then stated that he will be in touch to set up the planning sessions sometime during the early weeks of January. Mr. Whalen read copy of correspondence under date of December 6, 1972, from James L. Knox, Director, Washington -Greene County Addictive Disease Program directed to 414 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS Mr. Charles McAbee - Governor's Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse - IN RE: The Official Position of the County towards the Washington County Council on Alcoholism verses the Wash- ington -Greene County Addictive Disease Program. Letter stated that the internal relationship between the Washington County Council on Alcoholism and the Washington -Greene County Addic- tive Disease Program continues to improve and at this time Mr. Knox is glad to say that it may be characterized as an extremely cooperative effort in which each program compliments and expands the services of the other. Mr. Knox then stated many examples of local progress in combating the drug and alcohol problems. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of December 5, 1972, from the Gov- ernor's Justice Commission advising that the stenographic reports of the public forums held in the Southwest Region by the Regional Planning Council of the Governor's Justice Commission are available for inspection at the Regional Office. Letter also stated that due to the enormous expense of publishing the nearly 1, 000 pages of testimony given at the eight forums, this is the only copy available. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of December 8, -1972, from John D. Anthony, Executive Director, Washington County Planning Commission - RE: WCPC Historical Preservation Sub -committee. Letter stated that during the regular board meeting of the Wash- ington County Planning Commission held on December 7, 1972, it was recommended that a WCPC Sub -committee, relating to the problems of historic preservation, be formed. The following names were submitted by the WCPC: Mr, William Porter, Attorney Dr. Phil Jack Mrs. Charlotte Lane, Director Mr, Lee Adamson Mr. A. B. Kenney Dr. Raymond Bell Dr. Ronald Michaels Mr. Keery McAmbley, Director Mr. Albert Miller California State College Wash. -Greene Co. Tourist Promotion Agency West Penn Power Company Washington& Jefferson College California State College Wash. Co. Industrial Development Agency Meadowcroft Village Mr. Jones: I suggest that we hold this in abeyance until the three of us have a chance to go over them. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of December 5, 1972, from Barbara R. Burnett in which she stated that during the 1972 Presidential elections, she voted for the first time; and that as a new voter, she would like to make a suggestion with regard to the paper ballots. This suggestion concerns a technicality; namely, the "custom" of tearing a corner from r_j E 1 MINUTE BOOK 415 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS the ballot before placing it in the ballot box in order to validate that vote. Her suggestion was: on the printed side of the ballot, print a perforation and appropriate directions informing the voter of the necessity of removing that corner to validate that vote. The perforation with instru( - tions should cover the corner behind which the identifying number appears. Miss Burnett stated that it seems so unnecessary to lose one's vote for lack of knowledge of the "custom" of fearing off an UNMARKED CORNER of a ballot. Mr. Jones stated that this has been taken under advisement and that a change will be made. Mr. Whalen read correspondence under date of December 8, 1972, from Metro Pe- trosky, Jr., Director, Office of Human Services. Letter enclosed a resume of Mrs. Gail A. Larouere who has made application for the Foster Home Caseworker. Mr. Petrosky stated that she meets all qualifications that are required by the State and that he has found the applicant to be well suited for the position based on her educational and work experience. Mr. Petrosky recommended to the Board that Mrs. Larouere be approved for the position of Foster Home Caseworker at a salary of five thousand eight hundred three dollars $5, 803). Mr. Jones: I think we should hold this in abeyance. (Contracts) Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones, approving a Grant Contract for pay- ment to Washington County from the $500 million Conservation and Recreation Bond Issue Pro- gram - Mingo Creek Park Development Phase II Project #3-4-62-00-2. 1, Contract #412. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Jones - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones, .approving an Agreement between the County of Washington and C. Vance DeiCas, trading as "McDonald Associates Engineering" in connection with the Chartiers Creek Flood Protection Project, Canonsburg -Houston Reach, Unit 2; said agreement being in the amount of $85, 446. 50 for "Concept- Development?' and the "Basic Services of the Engineer. " Roll call vote taken: Mr, Paluso - Yes; Mr. Jones - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. New Business: Mr. Whalen Mr. Whalen informed the Board and all those present that all tax bills -will be mailed by the Tax Assessment Department during the week of January 1, 1973. (County and Court Calendar) Moved by.Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones, giving favorable consideration to the preparation of a combined County and Court Calendar; design to proceed immediately.