HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 59 - 3-8-1973 - COMMISSIONER516 MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
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Office of the County Commissioners
Washington, Pa. , March 8, 1973
The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following
members being present: Commissioners Jones, Paluso, and Flynn. Also present being:
Chief Clerk Murphy; Administrative Assistant Whalen; Solicitor Hormell; Mrs. Josephine
Haines of the League of Women Voters; Reporter Roule of The Monongahela Publishing Compar_y;
Reporter Robertson of The Observer -Reporter; Mr. Jack Merdian of WJPA; and Mr. Earl
Bugaile of WKEG.
Meeting called to order by Chairman and roll call taken:
Mr. Jones - Present; Mr. Paluso - Present; Mr. Flynn - Present.
Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions, or omissions to
Minute No. 58, each Commissioner having received a copy.
as read.
Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that Minute No. 58 be approved,
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Reports: Mr. Jones
Mr. Jones reported that he met with the Pennsylvania Fish Commission on
Monday and Tuesday, February 26 and 27 in regard to the parklets along the river. Mr. JoneE
stated that as soon as the sample ordinance for this'project is perused by Solicitor Hormell
as to the legal aspects of it and further information is received from the Fish Commission,
he will make another report to the Board.
Mr. Jones further reported on the 5. 92 mile feasibility location study of Inter-
state Route 70 made by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation between Twilight Borou .h,
Washington County and Pricedale, Westmoreland County and presented a letter directed to the
Honorable Ckaud-e S. Brinegar, U. S. Department of Transportation from the Washington
County Board of Commissioners. Said letter urged the widening of I-70 between the city of
Washington and Twilight Borough and also the relocation of 1-70 between Twilight Borough and
the Borough of Pricedale in Westmoreland County with the appropriate bridge and interchanges.
Letter further requested that the Federal Highway Administration authorize the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation to hold corridor public hearings on the upgrading and relocation
of Interstate 70.
Mr. Flynn: The Chair recommends that we go on record endorsing this and submit this
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letter to Mr. Brinegar.
MINUTE BOOK 517
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK .TONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
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Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the above letter in regards tc
the upgrading and relocation of Interstate 70 in the areas mentioned be adopted and signed by
the Board of County Commissioners and submitted to Mr. Brinegar, U. S. Department of
Transportation. (Copies of the above letter were also sent to Mr. Mifflin, District 12-0,
Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation and Secretary Kassab.)
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Correspondence: Mr. Murphy
Chief Clerk informed the Board of the receipt of the following checks:
1. Ck. #65-026852 in the amount of $416. 00 for reimbursement for
Military Absentee Ballots.
2. Ck. #65-037780 in the amount of $12, 692. 53 for Mon Valley United Health
Services, Day Care Contract # 1317 for the month of January, 1973.
Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of March 5, 1973 from Michael
George, Director, Department of Parks & Recreation requesting payment of $7, 100. 00 to
Carnegi Natural Gas Companywhich is one-half of the estimated cost in reference to an agree-
ment, dated September 25, 1972 for the burial of communication lines through Mingo Creek
Park.
Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the above payment in the
amount of $7, 100. 00 to Carnegi Natural Gas Company as submitted by Mr. George be approved,
Bills:
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 following bills be
approved for payment:
1. Griswold, Winters & Swain - $107. 93 - professional services in accordance
with agreement dated August 19, 1971.
2. Window Products Company - $28, 906. 02 - window replacement for the
Washington County Courthouse.
3. William C. Porter - $75. 00 - re: Romanetti, Lee and Louise, Cross Creek
Park.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of March 6, 1973 from Michael
George requesting permission for Mr. George Sharkady, Recreation Supervisor to attend the
Resource Management School at Oglebay Park during the week of March 12, 1973. The
518 MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
school's main concern will be teaching methods of raising funds for activities and facilities of
a park. Tuition fee for the school is $ 90. 00.
Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the abovementioned request
by Mr. George be approved.
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 Change Order No. G1 be
changed to No. G6 as requested by Carl G. Baker & Associates for record purposes in relation
to the Washington County Courthouse Complex Heating and Aie-Conditioning System.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk presented correspondence under date of February 27, 1973 from
Margaret McMullan, Office of Medical Programs, Department of Public Welfare which Mr.
Whalen explained to the Board. Said letter stated that it will be necessary for the Commission-
ers to comply with the regulations for an electrical wiring certificate so that safety is provided
for the patients in the homes, even if it is on a temporary basis. Mr. Whalen recommended
that the Commissioners go on record approving the above since an emergency exists.
Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that an emergency does exist in
regard to
the above situation at the Washington County Home for Aged Women, and the Washington County
Home and Hospital for Men and approving the acquisition of whatever necessary to comply with
the regulations set forth by the Department of Public Welfare and to obtain these certificates.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of February 16, 1973 from Mrs.
Christa M. Brinker, Consumer Specialist, Department of Agriculture informing the Commiss-
ioners of a Consumer Education Workshop to be held on March 21, 1973, purpose of the work-
shop being to up -date the consumer knowledge of personnel so they can more effectively assist
the people whom they serve in solving consumer problems. The workshop is mainly for
agencies who deal in human services.
Mr. Flynn: Chair recommends that we go on record authorizing the Commissioners -to
attend or their represnetatives if they're available.
Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the Washington County
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Commissioners or their representatives be authorized to attend the aforementioned workshop
MINUTE BOOK 519
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
on March 21, 1973.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of February 26, 1973 from Mrs.
William T. Driehorst, President, Young Women's Christian Association stating that at its
monthly meeting on February 22, 1973, the Board of Directors of the Young Women's Christian
Association adopted the following resolution:
New Business:
Be it resolved that the Board of Directors, Young Women's Christian
Association begin at once to unite and work in coalation with other
community groups to strategize and persuade local officials that:
Services to meet human needs should be given priority in the use of
revenue sharing funds over spending in other areas such as public safety
and especially tax reduction which will offer little relief to low income
and disadvantaged people.
Citizen involvement, including representation of the consumer of these
social services, must be a part of the decision -making process in
the use of these revenue sharing funds.
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones that the following field
registration be approved:
West Brownsville Borough Building - March 26 - 1:00 to 5:00 and 6:00 to 9:00
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Authorization to Advertise:
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones that the Washington County
Commissioners be authorized to advertise for bids for the installation of five (5) aluminum
windows on the east side of the County Jail. Said bids to be received in the Office of the
County Controller until 11:00 a.m., Prevailing Time, Thursday, March 22, 1973, and opened
immediately thereafter in the Office of the County 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 Commissioners' Staff
be authorized to attend a State Seminar Meeting in Harrisburg on Monday, March 12, 1973.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr, Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Field Registrars:
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASH NGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
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Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso approving the appointment of the
following field registrars:
Thomas Puglisi, Donora, Pa. (Democrat)
Emily Stotka, Centerville, Pa. (Democrat)
Mrs. Lois King, Houston, Pa. (Republican)
Mrs. Sara Irwin, Fallowfield Township (Republican)
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Whalen: The only thing that I would like to make mention of and that is getting back to
Revenue Sharing. There have been so many requests coming in from so many different
agencies and the emphasis, of course, has been on existing programs and the implication
that County and local government should consider picking up the funding on these programs.
So in order to get some idea of what is involved here, we are currently making an inventory
of all of the involvement of federal funding on programs with the emphasis on the administra-
tion costs of these programs, the number of people served by the programs and any other
pertinent information because it is my personal feeling that the Board of County Commission-
ers are not in a very good position to make a determination on all of these requests unless
you are 100% familiar with the scope of the program that is involved. For example, if you
had a specific program that we'll say costs $50, 000. 00 a year to operate and it only serves
10 or 12 people and the balance of it is used up in administration costs, why then probably
some alternate method of taking care of those 10 people should be considered. So that is the
type of a report that I am having drafted at the present time and we are going to go into the
depth of these various agencies to determine what programs are involved and the scope and
magnitude of the programs and especially the type of service and the number of people served
by each of these programs so hopefully within the next week or 10 days we can make that
information available to the Board.
Mr. Whalen also informed the Board of an editorial in the Burgettstown Enter-
prise which requested the people to sign petitions petitioning the Washington County Board of
Commissioners to take over the library program. Mr. Whalen stated that the editorial
omitted the fact that the program presented to the Commissioners also called for local effort
in aiding the libraries. The Burgettstown public library serves Jefferson Township, Smith
Township, Hanover Township and the Borough of Burgettstown.
Mr. Flynn:
Chairman made reference to a newspaper article cclarirg the week of March 1
to March 7 National Weights and Measures Week and also commending Mr. George Messerote s,
Chief of the Weights and Measures Department of Washington County on the work that he is
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MINUTE BOOK 521
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, FRANK JONES, JR., EDWARD M. PALUSO, COMMISSIONERS
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Chairman also made reference to another newspaper article regarding the
recent groundbreaking ceremonies for the Mon Valley Expressway. Said article concerned the
California Area School District's displeasure in the choosing of the band to play at the cere-
monies. Mr. Flynn stated that he had nothing to do with planning the ceremonies and was only
an invited guest. Solicitor Hormell stated that Dr. Kern of the School Board reported to the
School Board that he did meet with Mr. Flynn and Mr. Merdian to discuss the problem and was
received very courteously.
Solicitor: Mr. Hormell:
Solicitor Hormell presented to the Board a request from the Court that the
probation officers be permitted to join the Pennsylvania Association on Probation Parole and
Correction and the dues be paid by the County in the amount of $3. 00 per person.
Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the above request as sub-
mitted by the Court in regard to the probation officers be approved.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Solicitor Hormell presented to the Board a request from the District Attorney
for all Assistant District Attorneys to attend an educational seminar on the new Pennsylvania
Crimes Code to be held in Pittsburgh on March 17, 1973.
Moved by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Paluso that the above request as sub-
mitted by the District Attorney be approved.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Solicitor Hormell informed the Board that in regards to the Nisi Order of
Certification by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board for professional non -court related
employees and for all non-professional non -court related employees, he has received notification
that the Controller has taken exceptions to that order and has appealed it and they will be back
in Court again on that matter.
Senior Citizen Leases:
Moved by Mr. Paluso, seconded by Mr. Jones authorizing Solicitor Hormell
to prepare leases for Senior Citizens in the Claysville, California, Burgettstown and Canonsburg
areas contingent upon the money being available from state or local sources with the right to
terminate.
Roll call vote taken:
Nfr. Jones - Yes; Mr. Paluso - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.