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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 35 - 9-19-1968 - COMMISSIONERMINUTE BOOK 253 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHIN13TON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC. JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS NO. 3 5 Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa. , September 19, 1968 Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following members being present: Commissioners Bevec, Mazza and Flynn. Also present being: County Solicitor Capano, Chief Clerk Kittridge, Robert Umstead - Washington County Redevelopment Authority, John Fantz - Administrator, Washington -Greene County Mental Health/Mental Retardation Board, Mrs. Amor Flenniken - Director, Washington County Tax Claim Bureau, John Yuhas - County Surveyor, Public Information Officer Huber, Mr. Crouse of the Observer - Reporter and Reporters Thomas Benec of the Daily Republi- can and Grant Liesch of the Brownsville Telegraph. Meeting called to order by Chairman and roll call taken: Mr. Bevec - Present; Mr. Mazza - Present; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman stated that the Board would dispense with the regular order of business. Special Order of Business: Mr. Umstead of the Washington County Redevelopment Authority presented amended Resolution in connection with the Southgate Urban Renewal Area in the Borough of Donora. Said Resolution is also being passed by the Donora Borough Council and the Washington County Redevelopment Authority. Mr. Umstead further stated that the best interest of the Borough could be served by relocating the project. Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza; that the Board of County Commissioners adopt a Resolution approving the Undertaking of Amended Surveys and Plans for Southgate Urban Renewal Area in the Borough of Donora, Pennsylvania and that the Chief Clerk be authorized to attest same. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Complete copy of Resolution on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk - Resolution File Folder No. 1, 1968. Central Washington Clinic Mr. Fauntz: "The clinic opened officially September 3, 1968. We have had to date twenty-five referrals. However, after the County Homes evaluation this will pick up considerably. We are getting the money by the last of October. There is no question about getting it. As far as the overall staff, every- one has been hired except the one day a week psychiatrist. Technically, the budget we have submitted to you has been decreased somewhat - 254 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN R. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS $8, 000. 00. At this point, the biggest thing is that they will have a county hearing. The people will have an opportunity to present their questions. This will be held on Wednesday, November 13th. I think this is a very good thing. Our County Plan will be in as early as possible; however, I fee 1 it will take a while to write it. " Mr. Mazza: "Are you followi ng a pattern of any other plan set-up in the state?" Mr. Fantz: "This is outlined all over the state." Mr. Bevec: .'Have the different agencies and the schools been notified as to the services that are available ? " Mr. Fantz: "No, but they will all be notified the last of this week. " Note was made that this will also be in the newspapers. Mr. Bevec: "The inmates at the county homes will be classified to see if they belong in some State Institution. This will be done with the help of the Clinic to evaluate all of these inTnates. " Mr. Fantz: "With regard to the fees of the Clinic, this is a tentative thing because the State has not formalized this. It is very difficult to understand. We have drawn up a slide scale ranging from zero to $25. 00 per session per client. No one will be refused. (Example - up to $4, 000. 00 - $7. 00 fee. This is rated down according to number of dependents in the family. ) If they can't pay, they will be rated down. " Mr. Flynn: "This is a bone of contention in all the counties in Pennsylvania and the Department of Welfare. They should come to some agreement as far as these fees are concerned." Mr. Fantz: "They are hoping that approximately 60% of the referrals will be paid for by medical assistance. The approximate amount will be $15. 00 per session which is much more than what we expected it to be. There will be a formula to figure it out. This is a real headache with all the administra- tors. " Mr. Mazza: "Will this be a public hearing?" Mr. Fantz: "Yes, conducted according to the way the State has it outlined. Anyone wanting to make a public statement will have ten minutes to give their statement. This information will be taken down for further discussion. " (Mr. Gillespie, of the Washington -Greene Community Action, entered the meeting.) Mr. Fantz: "No one that you send to us will be refused service. " Mr. Flynn: "On the funding of this - the Clinic is approved on a one-year basis?" Mr. Fantz: "Yes, from the Department of Public Welfare and the Mental Health. The planning grant is overdue. Some counties have refused to pay the bills. This is holding up the whole works. The planning grant money has to be in before the grant-in-aid is approved. " "I would like to suggest that if anyone has the time, I would appreciate it if, they would stop down and see the clinic. " Mr. Fantz left the meeting. Chief Clerk stated that the Chairman of the Board had received a letter in reference to property located at 815 and 813 1 /2 Ewing Street, Washington - 8th Ward - (County owned property). Enclosed was 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. He further stated that the Board acted (See Minute No. 33 - dated September 5, 1968) and asked the Solicitor of the Tax Claim Bureau to check into this matter. MINUTE BOOK 255 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGT13N COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Chief Clerk then read letter under date of September 17, 1968 from Michael M. Madzy, Building Inspector, Charleroi Borough Planning Commission, which stated that Tax Claim Bureau Property located at 150 Pine Street, Charleroi, Pennsylvania (former owner - Kathryn Boncarosky - deceased) has become a safety and health factor and should be demolished. Mr. Madzy further stated that inasmuch as this is property of the county, they felt it was the responsibility of the county to have it torn down. Chairman stated that apparently these officials are not aware that they share equally in this responsibility. Mr. Flenniken stated that she will acknowledge the letter. Mrs. Flenniken, Director of the Washington County Tax Claim Bureau, presented various private bids to the Board for approval; said bids having been approved by the Tax Claim Bureau Solicitor: Purchases by individuals other than the owners: Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza; that RESOLUTION NO. 181, for property situate in Donora Borough, Washington County, Pennsylvania, sold at Treasurer's Tax Sale, April 3, 1944, being described as, Lot 10 - 11, Blk 78 McKean Avenue, situate in Borough of Donora, Washington County, Pennsylvania, and formerly assessed in the name of Domenick Ciccone, be approved; and that the sum of $50. 00 be accepted from COLUMBIA GAS OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC. Washington County Tax Claim Bureau receiving consent of taxing districts involved: Ringgold School District (Donora) August 8, 1968 and Donora Borough Council - July 11, 1968. Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza; that RESOLUTIONNO. 182 for property situate in Donora Borough, Washington County, Pennsylvania, sold at Treasurer's Tax Sale, June 12, 1928, being described as Lots 2 & 3, Blk 79, Lots 21 & 22 Blk 78, situate in Borough of Donora, Washington County, Pennsylvania, and formerly assessed in the name of James and Alex McVicker, be approved; and that the sum of $100. 00 be accepted from COLUMBIA GAS OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC. Washington County Tax Claim Bureau receiving consent of taxing districts involved: Ringgold School District (Donora) August 8, 1968 and Donora Borough Council July 11, 1968. Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza; that RESOLUTION NO. 183 for property situate Borough of Donora, Washington County, Pennsylvania, sold on June 12, 1928, Treasurer's Tax Sale to Washington County, being described as Lewis Lot #4, Blk 79 and situate in the Borough of Donora, Washington County, Pennsylvania and formerly assessed in the name of J. D. Iams, be approved; and that the sum of $25. 00 be accepted from COLUMBIA GAS OF PENNSYLVANIA INC. Washington County Tax Claim Bureau receiving consent of taxing districts involved: Ringgold School District (Donora) August 26, 1968 and Donora Borough Council - July 11, 1968. 6 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. SEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza; that RESOLUTION NO. 184 for property situate in Smith Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, sold on January 24, 1940 and April 26, 1940 Treasurer's Tax Sales to Washington County, being described as Lot 251, Potts Plan, situate in Smith Township, Washington County, Pennsyl- vania and formerly assessed in the name of Andy Yalch, be approved; and that the sum of $50. 00 be accepted from WILLIAM AND MARTHA MADDEN. Washington County Tax Claim Bureau receiving consent of taxing districts involved: Burgettstown Area School District (Smith) June 18, 1968 and the Smith Township Supervisors - June 11, 1968. Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza; that RESOLUTION NO. 185 for property situate in Smith Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, and sold June 12, 1928 Treasurer's Tax Sale to Washington County, being described as #252 Potts Plan, situate in Smith Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania and formerly assessed in the name of Mike Trojan, be approved; and that the sum of $50. 00 be accepted from WILLIAM AND MARTHA MADDEN. Washington County Tax Claim Bureau receiving consent of taxing districts involved: Burgettstown Area School District (Smith) - May 27, and the Smith Township Supervisors - May 28, 1968. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously, with Mrs. Flenniken leaving the meeting. Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza; that the following resigna- tions be accepted, as submitted: Appointments Edward Hutter - Courthouse - Janet De Wolfe - Tax Assessment Office - effective October 4, 1968 Fletcher Brown - County Home for Aged Women - effective Sept. 10, 1968 Earl F. Hardy - County Home and Hospital - effective September 24, 1968 Richard E. Andrews - County Home and Hospital - effective Sept. 12, 1968 Ann Lacock - Tax Assessment Office - effective September 20, 1968 John W. Evans - County Home and Hospital - effective August 20, 1968 Richard F. Poland - County Home and Hospital - effective August 26, 1968 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 the followi ng appoint - ments be approved: Tax Assessment Office Elsie Arnone - effective as of September 23, 1968 MINUTE BOOK 257 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS low r -- _- Courthouse - Watchman Clifford Poole - effective as of September 16, 1968 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 the following appoint- ments at the Washington County Homes be approved; effective date indicated (replace - ments): Washington County Home for Aged Women: Jean E. Bryon - September 11, 1968 (Attendant I) Washington County Home and Hospital: Leo Yaros, Orderly - September 17, 1968 Andrew E. Burns, Orderly - September 9, 1968 Richard E. Andrews, Orderly - September 10, 1968 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 the appointment of Frances Kubala, temporary employee in the Registration Office; be approved. This action effective as of September 16, 1968. 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 the appointments of the following psychiatric nurses at the Central Washington Clinic be approved. This action effective as of September 16, 1968 and in accordance with correspondence received under date of September 17, 1968 from John R. Fantz, Administrator, Mental Health/ Mental Retardation Office: Dorothy Carpenter B. Grace Horne Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk stated that check had been received in the amount of $6, 359. 96 from Greene County for their share of the maintenance of Inter -County Bridges from February 1, 1965 to December 31, 1967. Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza; that the County Controller be authorized to advertise for bids, for the furnishing and delivery of one (1) Crawler 258 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. SEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Tractor with backhoe and drott 4 in 1 loader for Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation to be furnished and delivered to Mingo Creek County Park, Nottingham Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania; said bids to be received in the Office of the County Controller until 11: 00 a.m., Daylight Saving Time, Thursday, October 10, 1968, and opened immediately thereafter in the presence of the County Commissioners. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Chief Clerk read a memorandum under date of September 17, 1968 from F. D. Whalen, Deputy Controller, advising that he and Mr. Elish, Controller, would be attending the County Contro1hr's Annual Convention the week of September 23, 1968 and that during their absence, Miss Nancy Gilbert will be Acting Deputy Controller. Moved by Mr. Bevec; seconded by Mr. Mazza; that invoice in the amount of $617. 00 under date of August 21, 1968 from Engelhardt - Power and Associates, Inc. be approved for payment from the Capital Reserve Account. Remarks: This is with regard to Job No. 5631 - Engineering relative to road relocation of Site #482, Stavaggi Property - Harmon Creek Watershed Project. Budget Item Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Request received from Theodore F. Colinear, Commanding Officer, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, 326 Second Street, Monongahela, Pennsylvania for their 1968 allocation in the amount of $1, 500. 00. Correspondence Chief Clerk read letter under date of September 16, 1968 from Dr. Thomas Georges, Secretary, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Public Welfare, in answer to request of the Welfare Committee of the County Commissioners' Association, to clarify the State Is compensation policy as it pertains to Caseworker Trainees. Letter stated that the State has followed the practice for several years of the 10% incentive for successfully completing the training program and that this has materially reduced turn- over, attracted a higher caliber of candidates and has made it possible to provide a fairly moderate entrance salary rather than having to compete dollar for dollar with other employers seeking college graduates. Chief Clerk read a letter under date of September 11, 1968 and signed by five residents of Cecil Township (Lawrence) to have the voting place changed in the Sixth h ri Precinct of Cecil Township - Lawrence - from the fire hall to the new Community Building. MINUTE BOOK 259 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Chairman stated that this would be referred to the Election Department and that we would have to advertise before any change could be made. Note was made that Committee people from both parties are recommending this. Letter under date of September 17, 1968 from J. Ferguson, Secretary, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Forests and Waters, acknowledged receipt of application filed by the Board for permit to encroach in Tenmile Creek, East Bethlehem Township, Washington County and further stated that application is being processed by the engineering staff. Chairman stated that the foregoing letter is to be referred to Mr. Crom- well, Director, Washington County Planning Commission, inasmuch as this application was submitted from his office. Letter under date of September 14, 1968 from Harry M. -Harvey in accordance with Agreement (Lease Agreement - County of Washington and Washington County Agricultural Fair, Inc. ) enclosed staterre nt for expenses at Arden Downs through the close of the 1968 Fair. Total expenditures for materials and labor was in the amount of $3, 333. 42. Chairman stated that this is very good and that we are making progress. Letter under date of September 5, 1968 from James H. Grim, Project Coordinator, Appalachia Program, Bureau of State and Federal Economic Aid and addressed to Representative Roger Fischer was read as follows: "In re sponse to your inquiry of September 4, 1968, regarding the availability of Appalachia funds for a county home, we desire to inform you that during the first six months in which the Appalachian Program was in existance (the period known as "quick -start), Pennsyl- vania funded one county home. When guidelines were finally established, it was recommended that investment of Appalachia dollars in Pennsylvania in the area of county homes or extended care facilities were not following the dictates of Congress. There must be economic justification for the investment of Federal Appala- chian dollars and it is felt that the return on the investment in an extended care type facility does not warrent investment in the same in Pennsylvania. County homes and extended care type facilities have the lowest priority of all projects. Our #1 priority is vocational -technical education; our #2 priority is in the field of higher education, parti- cularly in the teacher -training type facilities, paramedical training and science- oriented training, and our third and fourth priorities, respectively, are airports and hospitals (general). We thank you for your inquiry and regret that we cannot be of service in this instance; however, if we can be of any service in the future, do not hesitate to contact this office. " After discussion was held with regard to the above, it was the general opinion that these priorities are not in lines. Mr. Mazza: "We should go on record that we contact Congressmen Morgan notifying him that there should be a change in the priority whereby it should be reversed around. " Mr. Flynn: "The estimated cost of the hospital (new) is now seven million dollars. In 1967, all state and federal agencies approved the home as it was on the final plans. There were new regulations in February of this year and we i 2&) MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS had to redesign at an approximate cost to the county of four million dollars. We could have built the home without any aid in 1964 if we had known. " Chairman further stated that one million dollars would have to be raised locally through tax dollars if this money is not allocated. Old Business: Awarding of contract. Moved by Mr. Mazza; seconded by Mr. Bevec; that the contract for the furnishing and delivering of coal for heating the Washington County Courthouse, Jail and also the Washington County Home and Hospital for Men and the Washington County Home for Aged Women for the 1968 - 1969 season, be awarded to JUDSON WILEY AND SONS, 404 South Main Street, Washington, Pennsylvania 15301, for the amount as set forth in their bid; this being the lowest responsible and only bid received and being in accord with our specifications. Solicitor: Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Solicitor presented a memorandum to be attached to the original lease between County of Washington and A. Boyd Siegel for the addition of another room to be used as a conference room in conjunction with the Central Washington Clinic. Chairman stated that inasmuch as the above item has not been discussed, this is to be tabled for the time being. Moved by Mr. Mazza; seconded by Mr. Bevec; that the Board of County Commissioners adopt a Resolution hereby accepting the Grant Offer for Project No. 9-36-043-D904 at the Washington County Airport as issued by the Federal Aviation Administration as set forth in the Grant Agreement and that the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners be authorized to execute said Grant Agreement and the Chief Clerk be authorized to attest to same. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Complete copy of Grant Agreement on file in the Office of the Chief Clerk. Controller Elish and Deputy Controller Whalen entered the meeting. With regard to the above Grant Agreement, letter under date of September • 16, 1968 from Gerald D. Curtin, Chief - Airports Branch, Federal Aviation Administra- tion and addressed to John Yuhas, County Surveyor, approved the awarding of the contract to Louis M. McMasters, Inc. , and listed the conditions under which said contract is to ;R be executed.