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
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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.