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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 182 - 9-9-1971 - COMMISSIONERMINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEYEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS 1 11 Minute No. #182 Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa. , September 9, 1971 The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following members being present: Commissioners Capano, Mazza, and Flynn. Also present being: Chief Clerk Murphy; Mr. Metro Petrosky, Jr. , Director of Human Services; Reverend Edward Sadvary, Protective Services Director; Miss Kathy Tomazin, Former Director of the Adult Foster Care Program; Mrs. Patricia Cook, Foster Home Supervisor; Reporter Bu of the Observer -Reporter; and Public Information Officer Huber. Meeting called to order by Chairman and roll call taken: Mr. Capano - Present; Mr. Mazza - Present; Mr. Flynn - Present. Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions, or omissions to Minute No. 181, each Commissioner having received a copy. Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Capano, that Minute No. 181 be approved, as read. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Capano - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Special Order of Business: Chairman stated that regular order of business would be dispensed with in order that Mr. Metro Petrosky, Jr., could make his report to the Board, on,the Protective Services and Information and Referral divisions of the Department of Human Services and the Adult Foster Care Program. Mr. -'Petrosky stated that as it stands now, he feels that the program is a moderate success and most of the goals set up in the beginning have been accomplished. He then introduced the members of his staff, Reverend Edward Sadvary, Protective Services Director being the first to speak. Rev. Sadvary stated that from January 11, 1971 through August 1, 1971, a total of 30 weeks, 750 individual problems were processed through the Protective Services and Information and Referral divisions of the Washington County Department of Human Services. Of the 750 persons, 429 individuals were concretely helped through the two depart- ments by making referrals to assisting agencies. 176 persons were transferred to agencies which carried their problems through to a definite conclusion. 145 calls were made to their office which were considered minor problems and through counseling, the conditions were improved and the cases dropped. Reverend Sadvary stated that the bulk of cases came after February 25 when the Department undertook the publishing of a weekly newspaper column entitled "Help for the Elderly" M MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. $EVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS KMW* �-ou_� # #t � i �� . li a ii ahirig �"swezl and Greene County areas. Radio stations also use the column. Reverend Sadvary went on to say how successful the column has been and stated that it is their intention to produce this column on a state wide basis. Rev. Sadvary also presented to the Board a list of the problem areas they have encountered and the agencies they turn to, to refer their clients for help. Miss Kathy Tomazin, the former director of the Adult Foster Care Program stated that the Adult Foster Care Program was instituted to provide care for those limited in their capacity to care for themselves or who have received the maximum benefits of institutionali- zation and are still incapable of returning to their own homes. It consists of the placement of not more than 2 individuals in a foster home setting where all the necessities and comforts of a home are provided. To qualify as a foster home, the house must meet the local building standards and codes. Safety precautions are taken through an initial inspection by the Adult Foster Home Supervisor, a fire inspection, and water inspection. Physical examinations are required of both foster proprietor and client. Termination of placement can occur at anytime with approximately 15 days notice in order that alternate arrangements be made for the foster client. Miss Tomazin stated that from September 1970 through August, 1971, 76 foster home referrals have been received. Of this amount there are 16 placements presently in existence. Of the remaining foster home referrals 30 lost interest; 14 were rejected for various reasons; 7 homes were referred to other counties; and the remaining homes are presently under consi- deration. The age range of foster proprietors is 23 to 81 (bulk being between 50 and 70) and the range of foster clients being 31 to 91 (bulk being between 50 and 55). In September, 1970 a goal of 20 placements was set for the project year ending August, 1971. During that time 21 placements were made, of which 16 are presently in existence. In the next year, 20 addi- tional placements are envisioned. Mr. Petrosky, Reverend Sadvary, Miss Tomazin and Mrs. .Cook left the meeting. (Regular order of business) Old Business: Mr. Capano (delivering of ballot boxes) Moved by Mr. Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the contract for the delivering of ballot boxes with the election supplies to the Judges of Elections for approximately 204 precincts be awarded to EARL RIGGLE, R. D. #4, Box 230, Washington, Pa. 15301, for the amount set forth in his bid; this being the lowest responsible bid received and being in accord with specifications. Roll call vote taken: �1 1 Mr. Capano - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS 1 (vans for P. A. R. C. ) Moved by Mr. Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the contract for 2 1972 127 inch Wheel Base Window Vans or Equivalent for the Washington County P. A. R. C. , Inc., be awarded to the GEORGE STEWART MOTOR CO., 42 East Maiden Street, Washington, Pa. 15301, for the amount set forth in their bid; this being the lowest responsible bid received and being in accord with specifications. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Capano - Yes; Mr. - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Correspondence: Chief Clerk informed the .Board of the following checks: (a) $12, 500. 00 - Emergency Employment Act - Contract #EEA-42-2-0041 - Funding. (b) $2, 424.00 - Department of Justice Re: partial payment for CbTitract #SW-A-048-70, Increasing staff of Public Defender's Office. (c) $3, 665. 98 - third payment - Senior Citizens Centers (d) $7, 204. 25 - Services for the Aging - final payment. (e) $1, 814. 82 - Expenditures for Harmon Creek Watershed. Moved by Mr. :Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the following bills be paid. (a) Gandy Interval, 495 Duncan Avenue, Washington, Pa. Screening of nine (9) windows at the Washington County Juvenile Detention Home. Bill in the amount of $3, 950, 00 is hereby approved. (b) Blu-Flame Burners, 1024 Main Street, Pittsburgh, Pa. Removal of two (2) boilers from the Washington County Home & Hospital for Men. Bill in the amount of $3, 750. 00 is hereby approved. (c) Department of Public Welfare, Food Stamp Program.. Bill in the amount of $10, 515.19 is hereby approved. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Capano - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of September 3, 1971, from John Yuhas, P. E. , Co. Surveyor, stating that sometime in March of this year a slab, 4 feet 6 inches in length, 1 foot 3 1/2 inches in width, and 5 inches thick, fell from the Ailm.ost very top of the smoke stack, at the boiler room next to the county jail, Mr. Yuhas stated that on September 3, 1971, he and Mr. Anthony Bevec made an inspection of the smoke stack using binoculars and found the top section of the stack in a very dangerous condition. Mr. Yuhas recommended that the matter be looked into and corrected before some serious damage results. s3o, MINUTE :. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Mr. Flynn: I recommend that we notify Michael Baker that they make an inspection of the smoke stack and make the necessary corrections. Moved by Mr. Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the above recommendation by Chairman Flynn be approved. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Capano - Yes; Mr, Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of September 1, 1971, from Mr. Frederick D. Giles, Deputy Director, Governor's Justice Commission, stating their apprec- iation for notifying them that Mr. James O. Roupe will be the Project Director under Subgrant SW-A-062. Mr. Giles stated that they approve of Mr. Roupe's being assigned this important responsibility and reminded the Commissioners that Subgrant Condition No. 10 requires that subgrantees must obtain prior written approval for major project changes. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of August 19, 1971, from J. H. Mifflin, P. E. , District Engineer, in reference to prior correspondence and discussions re- lative to the improvement and eventual abandonment of routes L. R. 62032 and L. R. 62055 to the County. Mr. Mifflin stated that both routes through the park (Mingo) have been viewed in the field by representatives of their District and County Offices and stated 2 reasons why a complete upgrading to the criteria required by the rate of traffic using the roads is not feasible. Correspondence stated recommendations for repairing the roads and suggested a joint meeting to discuss sources of additional financing or possible downgrading of the antici- pated improvements consistent with the funds available. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of August 24, 1971, from Glenn J. Heath, Jr., The Heath Company, Communications Consultants, stating that the application submitted by the county of Washington amounting to $24, 954. 55 has been recommended to the Governor's Justice Commission as being not fundable in its present form. Mr. Heath stated that the specific reasons for their recommendation can be categorically described as not "improving the criminal justice system in accordance to the Act. " Mr. Heath stated that the intention of the Safe Streets Act and of the funding available through it charges them with the responsibility of improving the criminal justice system, and suggested that a meeting be set up sometime during the first week of September in order that an understanding as to goals of their project and the necessary involvement as will be required from a local govern- ment level might be reached. Mr. Heath stated that regarding the more immediate needs for car -to -car communications for the Sheriff's Office, they are today taking steps to insti- gate the availability of such equipment. MINUTE BOOK 631 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Chief Clerk read correspondence from Lola Geier, Executive Secretary, The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Inc., stating that the week of September 12th to the 20th has been proclaimed Myasthenia Gravis Week nation wide. Ms. Geier requested that the Washing- ton County Commissioners help them make Myasthenia Gravis better known locally since many of their patients and members are from Washington County. Moved by Mr. Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza that the Washington County Commissioners proclaim the week of September 12 to the 20th as Myasthenia Gravis Week. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Capano - Yes; Mr, Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of August 31, 1971, from the Oil and Gas Division, Department of Environmental Resources in regard to the proper plugging of Oil and Gas Wells. Letter stated that due to various activities, such as road building, house developments, shopping center developments, etc., it is becoming increasingly necessary to call attention to the proper plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells. Letter stated that there is a definite safety hazard connected with any and all wells if not handled adequately. It is also necessary to plug these wells so as not to endanger the local ground water resources, however, it is against the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to cover, remove or fill any oil or gas well without first securing a plugging permit from the Oil and Gas Division. Chief Clerk read correspondence under date of August 26, 1971, from O. Bard Judy, District Conservationist stating that on May 17, 1971, an inspection was made on sites PA-479 and PA-482 (Harmon Creek) with John Yuhas at which time maintenance and needed repairs were agreed upon. Additional damages have occurred since the inspection and in addition, Site PA-479 is being used as a swimming area. Mr. Judy stated that perhaps the Commissioners would like to post the area against swimming, camping, picnicing and motor bike riding. Moved by Mr. Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza, authorizing County Surveyor Yuhas to take the necessary action and authorize the posting of these dam sites. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Capano - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. New Business: Mr. Flynn Moved by Mr. Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza that the Protective Care Unit, previously not under the County's jurisdiction, be combined into one account with County Home Custodial Care; said account to be known as Account 305 - County Home Custodial Care and MINUTE B [3:O K BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN. JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Protective Care Unit. All checks for personnel from the Protective Care Unit will be drawn from account # 305-1-2 (Personnel). Roll call vote taken: Mr. Capano - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Solicitor: (Mr. Murphy acting in the absence of Mr. Porter) approval: Mr. Murphy presented to the Board two (2) leases for their consideration and 1. Between the Commissioners of Washington County and Arthur Skaine, for Mr. Skaine to occupy designated premises in Mingo Creek County Park, house #9 and; 2. Between the Commissioners of Washington County and Vergil Harris, for Mr. Harris to occupy designated premises in Mingo Creek County Park, house #4. Moved by Mr. Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the above leases as per above be approved. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Capano- Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Murphy presented to the Board a contract between the Washington County Commissioners and the M&M Equipment Sales Co., Burgettstown, Pa., this is for stream clearance work to be done at Raccoon Creek, Burgettstown, Pa., where a state of emergency was declared. (as per minute no. 180, dated August 19, 1971). Moved by Mr. Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the above contract with the M & M Equipment Sales Company Abe approved, Roll call vote taken: Mr. Capano - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Moved by Mr. Capano, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the meeting adjourn. Meeting adjourned. THE FOREGOING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED: ATTEST: CHIEF CLERK , 1971