HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 33 - 9-5-1968 - COMMISSIONER2�4
MINUTE i ■ ■ i
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza, that if the- above option
on the avigation easement requires a partial payment, this action be approved.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Mazza: Stated that he was approached by the Borou.gljbf Houston in reference to the
deplorable condition of Little Chartiers Creek. Also stated that he asked
the Borough to have a resolution passed at the Borough meeting and to
submit it to the Commissioners. While I was away on vacation I understand
that it was discussed at the Board meeting and I feel that we should do some-
thing about helping them on -this problem.
Mr. Bevec: Stated that our Solicitor wrote a letter to Houston's Solicitor, Samuel
Rodgers, on July 17, 1968, and stated that the Commissioners would be
happy to meet with the Borough Officials to discuss the possibility of
sharing the costs of their proposed project. Also stated that he felt that
the various municipalities should participate in the cost of the servicing of
these streams and this would enforce borough ordinances to keep them
clean.
Mr. Mazza: Stated that he agreed with what Mr. Bevec has just stated; however, stated
that he did not believe that the borough has the money at this particular
time.
Mr. Flynn: It has been known that our Solicitor has invited the officials of the Borough
Council to come in and discuss the possibility of taking care of this proposed
project. I suggest that they be notified of this and an appointment be arranged
so that this matter can be discussed and worked out in a beneficial way to
all concerned.
Chairman appointed Mr. Bevec as the Acting Chairman of the Board of County
Commissioners for the next two weeks, as Mr. Flynn will be on vacation at this time.
Moved by Mr.. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the meeting adjourn.
Meeting adjourned.
THE FOREGOING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED:
ATTEST:
NO. 3 3
J. 1968
CHIEF CLERK
Office of the County Commissioners
Washington, Pennsylvania Sept.5, 1968
Board of County Commissio ners met in regular session with the following
members being present: Commissioners Bevec and Mazza. Also present being: County
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Solicitor Capano, Chief Clerk Kittridge, County Controller Elish, Deputy Controller Whalen
ow
MINUTE BOOK 2tja
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. EIEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS
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and Reporter Robertson. Absent being Commissioner Flynn, on vacation.
Meeting called to order by Acting Chairman Bevec and roll call taken:
Mr. Mazza - Present; Mr. Flynn - Absent; Mr. Bevec - Present.
(Note: Excerpt from Minute No. 1, dated January 2, 1968:
Moved by Mr. Mazza; seconded by Mr. Flynn, that in the event of the
absence of the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, John P. Bevec be appointed as
the Acting Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, to conduct the affairs of the County.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Bevec - Abstained; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes.
Motion carried.)
Reporter Benic entered the meeting.
Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to
Minute No. 32, each Commissioner having received a copy.
Moved by Mr. Mazza; seconded by Mr. Bevec, that Minute No. 32 be
approved, as read.
Old Business:
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk read letter of notification under date of September 3, 1968,
addressed to Messrs. William C. Porter, Assistant County Solicitor; Patrick C. Derrico,
Counsel for South Franklin Township; John B. Wilson, Assistant Attorney General,
Pennsylvania Department of Highways, from W. D. Streiff, Regional Engineer -Structures,
Penn Central Station, that they propose closing the Route 62128 at Van Kirk, Pennsylvania,
while the bridge repairs are being made; they propose starting this work on September 16,
1968, and requested in accordance with P. U. C. Complaint Docket No. 18469, dated July 22,
1968, Paragraphs 5 and 8, that arrangements be made to set up detours for the closing;
estimated time of the repair work will be from two to three weeks. Copies of the letter
were forwarded to Messrs. M. S. Prince, Bridge Engineer, Pennsylvania Department of
Highways; Harold Martin, South Franklin Township and John Yuhas, County Surveyor.
Appointments: (replacements)
Moved by Mr. Mazza; seconded by Mr. Bevec, that the following appoint-
ments be made as indicated; effective date also indicated opposite their names.
Courthouse:
Leslie Wells, Watchman
to be effective August 24, 1968
Transfer from the Courthouse to the Washington County Home and Hospital for Men:
Norman Higginbotham,
Assistant Night Superintendent
to be effective September 9, 1968
MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that Antonina Cherenko be
appointed as a clerk in the Tax Assessment Office; this action to be effective September 3,
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes;
Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that John Ihnat, be appointed
as a part-time employee at Cross Creek County Park. This action to be effective August
26, 1968.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that Clara Thompson be
transferred to the regular payroll of the Washington County Home for Aged Women as
Attendant I; this action to be effective SepL-mber 2, 1968.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr, Bevec - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk - Correspondence:
Letter under date of August 12, 1968 from Douglas S. Nettle, Secretary,
Bureau of Health, City of Washington, Pennsylvania, enclosed a copy of condemnation and
removal order sent to the Washington County Tax Claim Bureau regarding 813 1/2 Ewing
Street and the repair compliance order for 815 Ewing Street. Letter stated that it appeared
that the County Tax Claim Bureau, reputed owner, is renting said property and in doing
so violating the Housing Code requirements; the City is in a housing code enforcement pro-
gram and they believe the County should act as a leader in this area by seeing that all of
their property meets the minimum requirements of the Code. The Health Department and
other City Officials would appreciate it if the Board would check into this situation and
discuss an ultimate solution to the problem.
Mr. Bevec: The City is a party in this as well as the school district and county; as far
as the rentals are concerned, that matter should be determined by the Tax Claim Bureau
Solicitor.
Mr. Capano: This matter should be referred to the Director of the Tax Claim Bureau and
and the Tax Claim Bureau Solicitor, to be taken up with the City.
MINUTE BOOK 237
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGT❑N COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS
Civil Defense
Chief Clerk submitted a request to the Board for consideration, that the
Radio Base Station for the Fallowfield Township Volunteer Fire Company, be purchased
from Radio Corporation of America (RCA).
Mr. Kittridge: We have had various quotes and RCA seems to have the model that
will meet the requirements.
Moved by Mr. Mazza; seconded by Mr. Bevec; that the purchase of a
Radio Base Station for the Fallowfield Township Volunteer Fire Company from the Radio
Corporation of America, be approved.
remarks:
Mr. Mazza: If there federal money participation in this?
Mr. Kittridge: Not for this; funds were included in the 1968 budget for the purchase.
Cost of the Base Station is $997. 75 but there are additional pieces of
equipment that will make total cost in the amount of approximately $1100.
Mr. Whalen: Do they have receiving units in the Fire Trucks?
Mr. Kittridge: Yes; we have a county wide set-up with the fire companies.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes.
Motion carried, unanimously.
Chief Clerk read the following report submitted by the September Term of
the Grand Jury for the year 1968.
August 30, 1968
WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Court House
Washington, Pennsylvania
Gentlemen:
The members of the September Term of the Grand Jury for the year 1968
made a tour and examination of the County Home for Aged Men, The Washington County
Jail, and the Court House and make the following comments:
The County Home for Aged Men was clean and orderly and the food was
excellent. The Superintendent, Mr. Anthony Mastrangioli, and his staff, were very
courteous and co-operative in assiting us on our tour and the examination of the Home.
The Warden at the County Jail, Mr. Joseph Feconda, conducted our tour
of the Jail, which we found to be neat, clean and orderly.
As to the Court House, the members of the Grand Jury felt that both the
men's lounge and the women's lounge should be kept cleaner and supplied with the proper
supplies. The Grand Jury also recommended a central air conditioning unit for the entire
court house, and that the Grand Jury room should be supplied with an amplifier system for
the witnesses who testify before the Grand Jury.
Respectfully submitted,
William T. Reynolds / s /
Patricia Fochan /s/
Secretary
238 MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHIN13TON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS
Chief Clerk read letter under date of September 4, 1968, from Protos J.
Pavlak, Chief Sealer of Weights and Measures, requesting that the sum of $300. 00 be
advanced to cover expenses that will be incurred by George Messerotes and himself; each
to receive the amount of $150. 00 to cover their expenses while attending the National
Conference of the Bureau of Weights and Measures which is being held in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, September 16 - 19, 1968.
Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that the request be tabled,
Remarks: Note was made that due to budgetary reasons, most of the national confer -
ences and conventions were not being attended.
Mr. Bevec: I think they had one conference.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk presented a memorandum to the Board for consideration, as
submitted by John F. Cromwell, Director of the Washington County Planning Commission,
with regard to attending various conferences.
Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that the following persons
be authorized to attend the following conferences, concerning the Washington County Plan -
ning Commission.
To Attend: Conference and Place Date
a) John F. Cromwell, Director Pennsylvania Planning Association September 19 and
August Engelhardt - Vice East Stroudsburg 20, 1968
Chairman
Purpose: The county planning commission is a member of the Pennsylvania Planning
Association (PPA). PPA is an organization of persons in the state, both professionals
and lay members who are interested in the promotion of planning. This is an annual con -
ference which is normally attended by persons from the planning commission. Also,
John Cromwell has been asked to serve on the program.
b) John F. Cromwell, Director American Institute of Planners October 12-15, 1968
John D. Anthony, Planner Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Purpose: Both John Cromwell and John Anthony are members of the AIP, the national
professional planning organization. This year, as noted, the conference is in Pittsburgh.
This conference is only attended when it is nearby.
c) John D. Anthony, Planner University of Pittsburgh Business October 17-18, 1968
C onfe re nc e
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Purpose: John Anthony attends this conference annually. It is held to acquaint persons
concerned with regional, and national economic trends for the upcoming year. Mr. Anthony
attends because economic planning is part of his staff responsibilities.
Remarks: Total cost to attend the conferences - $322. 00; said amount was included in
the Planning Commission Budget.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
MINUTE B❑OK 239
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS
Chief Clerk read a paragraph from letter under date of August 29, 1968,
from Mr. Harmon O. Pritchard, Huggins and Company, 'Inc., Actuary, to Deputy Con -
troller Whalen, in which Mr. Pritchard stated that his preliminary survey enables him
to quote a fee of $200. 00 for making the complete study required to determine how much
it will cost the county to adopt the provisions of Act No. 153 to the Washington County
Employes' Retirement Fund.
Mr. Bevec: Act No. 153 that has been passed involves some changes in the retire-
ment act and I think there should be a study made as to how it will effect our retirement.
Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Beveq, that the Actuary (Huggins
and Company, Inc.), be authorized to make a study, to determine the cost to the County,
to adopt the provisions of Act No. 153 to the Washington County Employees' Retirement
Fund; fee for said service to be $200. 00.
Remarks:
Mr. Elish: This act changes the retirement of those persons that have already retired,
those persons who are retiring, etc. , and I think a study is essential as to the cost and
what we have to do; I am going to find out from our Controller's Convention what the other
counties are going to do.
Mr. Capano: The State has updated on retirement benefits, to provide for cost of
living increases and this is along the same way of thinking.
Mr. Bevec: I think the study should be made to see how it will effect us.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk read letter under date of August 29, 1968 to Solicitor Capano
from Samuel L. Rodger, Borough of Houston Solicitor. Mr. Rodgers expressed regret
(by reason of misunderstanding), that the letter under date of July 17, 1968, on behalf of
the Washington County Commissioners with regard to the Little Chartiers Creek from
Mr. Capano, was inadvertently overlooked; the Borough of Houston greatly appreciates
the interest expressed by the Commissioners in this project, and would greatly appreciate
a meeting between the Commissioners and officials of the Borough to explore the matter
further.
Following a brief discussion, the Board was of the opinion a meeting should
be arranged to be held the week of September 16th.
Mr. Capano informed Mr. Mazza, that he had checked into the Smoke Con-
trol Act with regard to fourth class counties.
Mr. Mazza: I would like to see our Board recognize our Fair Association for
their outstanding work, during the fair.
240 MINUTE BOOK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONER
Mr. Mazza reported the number of times the Board of Commissioners had
been in attendance at the fair this year, and also stated the number of years he has attended
making note, that in his opinion, this year's Fair was the best that they have had; Mr. Mazza
also made note of the amount of work they had done with regards to -the renovation of the
various buildings.
Mr. Bevec: I think they certainly should be commended.
Mr. Bevec made note of the fine exhibition of those products that are pro-
duced by the various industries in the County.
Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that a letter of commenda-
tion be sent to the Washington County,Fair Board.
Roll call vote taken:
R
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes,
Motion carried unanimously.
Chief Clerk informed the Board, that Mr. John Fantz, Director of the
Washington -Greene Mental Health and Mental Retardation Program, will submit a progress
report (tentatively) on September 19th to the Board.
Solicitor:
Mr. Capano submitted a request to the Board, that he be authorized to pro -
teed with the preparation of the necessary papers, with regard to the agreement made by
the Commissioners to sell a piece of land to the Washington Industrial Development Corpora-
tion for eventual sale to Washington Industrial Electric Company - the price was $1500. 00
per acre; said sale is going to be ready as soon as Mr. Capano receives confirmation on
the acreage and the lines, for presentation to the Court.
Moved by Mr. Mazza; seconded by Mr. Bevec, that the Solicitor be
authorized to prepare the necessary papers on the basis of the agreement to sell a portion
of land located in the Arden Downs Industrial Park Area, to the Washington Industrial
Development Corporation, for presentation to the Court.
Company.
Roll call vote taken:
Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes;
Motion carried unanimously.
Note was made that the above land is right below the Superior Valve
Moved by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that the meeting adjourn.
Meeting adjourned.
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