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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMM - Meeting Minutes - 49 - 9-3-1964 - COMMISSIONER194 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS lowest responsible and only bid received. Bid being in accord with our specifications. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the contract for the furnishing of materials, to be used for the Bailey Bridge No. 48, Ten Mile Creek, located one mile south of Amity on Route No.. 19, Washington County, Pennsylvania, be aw3.rded to the O'Brien Steel Construction Company, Inc., Chartiers Street, Washington, Pennsylvania, for the total amount of $1264.75; this being the lowest responsible and only bid received. Bid being in accord with our specifications. Delivery to be made within four to five weeks after contract has been awarded. Roll call vote taken: I i Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. , Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the con- tract for the furnishing of supplies and service required for the Tax Assessment Office (Board for the Assessment and Revision of Taxes) for the year 1965, be awarded to the MONONGAHELA PUBLISHING COMPANY, Monongahela, Pennsylvania, in the total amount of $3868. 16, as set forth in their bid; this being the lowest responsible bid received and in accord with our specifications. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that this meeting be adjourned. ! Meeting adjourned. THE FOREGOING MINUTE READ AND APPROVED: September, 3 1964 i ATTEST: CHIEF CLERP k {i NO. 49 x Office of the County Commissioners Washington, Pa., September 3, 1964 i Board of County Commissioners met in regular session with the following members being present: Commissioners Flynn, Bevec and Mazza. Also present being Solicitor Capano, Chief Clerk Debreczeni, Jr., Reporters Crouse and Merdian. i Meeting called to order by Chairman and roll call taken: MINUTE BOOK 1(95 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. 6EVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Mr. Mazza - Present; Mr. 'Bevec - Present; Mr. Flynn - Present. Chairman asked if there were any corrections, additions or omissions to Minute Nos. 47 and 48, each commissioner having received a copy. Motion by Mr. Mazza, seconded by Mr. Bevec, that Minute Nos. 47 and 48 be approved as read. New Business: Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Weaver, representative of the Columbia Gas Company of Penn- sylvania, Inc., requested permission to relocate a six-inch (6") gas line in the area of the Washington County Airport, South Franklin Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that a right-of-way agreement be granted to the Columbia Gas Company of Pennsylvania, Inc., for relocating gas lines at a point near the Washington County Airport property, and the Commissioners be authorized to execute all necessary papers with the Chairman of the Board, Michael R. Flynn, being named as Attorney -in -Fact. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Weaver leaving the meeting. Budget Director, Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Sittler of the Washington County Taxpayers' Association, entered the meeting at this time. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that Elizabeth Roth be appointed as a Kitchen Helper at the Washington County Home and Hospital for Men, replacing Mildred Dutko; this action to be retroactive to September 1, 1964. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that John Mousourakis, Warden at the Washington County Home and Hospital for Men, be placed back on the C.Quinty. payroll. Mr. Mousourakis had been granted a leave of absence and reported back to work at the Home on August 17, 1964. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that Gilbert A. Furbee, Warden at the Washington County Home and Hospital for Men, be placed on the regular 196 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS payroll effective September 1, 1964. Mr, Furbee is replacing Steve Yerant. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Following correspondence brought to the Board's attention by Mr. Flynn. 1. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Property and Supplies, letter dated August 31, 1964, signed by Director of Bureau of Surplus Food, Robert J. Freiler. Letter advised the Commissioners that Federal Audit Report No. 108-17-N, Washington County Needy Family Food Program has been closed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Subject audit covered the period October 1, 1963 to December 31, 1963, inclusive. 2. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State Soil Conservation Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, letter dated August 26, 1964, signed by Charles F. Hess. I fLetter informed the Commissioners that at the last meeting of the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission, our application 1 for assistance under Public Law 566 for the Cross Creek Water- shed was approved for the Commonwealth. Action taken on the } basis of a favorable field examination conducted by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Additional data to be taken in the form of a preliminary investigation. 3. County Superintendent of Schools, 74 West Beau Street, Washington, Pennsylvania, letter dated August 25, 1964, signed by Dr. Kenneth V. Curry, Assistant County Superintendent. Driver Improvement School being conducted again. School will be conducted in the Washington County Courthouse upon September 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 1964, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Dr. Curry stated that the schools conducted in June and July were quite successful. Mr. Flynn informed the Board that he had received membership on the Legislative Committee of the State Association of County Commissioners. Notification coming from Mr. Blaine M. Mead. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the following area and date be designated for additional field registrations: j Date September 10, 1964r) First District District Langeloth (Smith Twp) Roll call vote taken: Place Langeloth School Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the Registration Office, Courthouse, Washington, Pennsylvania, remain open on the following days in order to accommodate those persons wishing to register to vote. Date Hour E I Thursday, September 10, 1964 9:00 a. m. to 9:00 p.m. MINUTE BOOK 197 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA. MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS Friday, September 11, 1964 Saturday, September 12, 1964 Monday, Septemher 14, 1964 Roll call vote taken: 9:00 a, m, to 9:00 p. m. 9:00 a. m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon) 9:00 a. m. to 9:00 p.m. Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Following report submitted by Paul M. Simpson, Foreman of the September Grand Jury: September 2, 1964 TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA; The Grand Jury for the September Term of Court in the year 1964 upon its recent tour of the Washington County Jail on Friday, August 28, 1964, has the following recommendations: The Grand Jurors were favorably impressed by the clean and sanitary condition in which the physical plant was found. It was further felt that the Warden, Joseph Feconda, was doing a commendable job in view of the fact that the jail is in an outdated condition. The Grand Jury did find that certain conditions on the jail premises were lacking and makes specific recommendations as follows, to wit: the need for an outdoor recreation area for the prisoners, and assembly room within the jail building itself so that educational and religious activities may be carried on; that the plumbing inside the building should be thouroughly inspected and repaired where needed; and that a more extensive rehabilitation program be implemented. COUNTY HOME FOR WOMEN The Grand Jury found the Home to be conducted in a clean and sanitary condition - that the inmates therein seemed to be well taken care of by the Staff of said institution. It was further found by the Grand Jury that the food was of a good quality and that it was well prepared. One recommendation of the Grand Jury was that new stair -treads be installed on the various stairs of the building so as to prevent any accidents to the older patients which might arise due to the faulty condition of said stairs. The Grand Jury wishes to specifically recommend the Superintendent of the Institution for installing a new record system and, in addition, he is to be congratulated for procuring television sets for the use of the inmates without any cost to the County. Respectfully Submitted, Paul M. Simpson / s / Paul M. Simpson, Foreman of the September Grand Jury General discussion held pertaining to the plans and possibility of con - strutting a new County Home for the Aged Men and Women. Mr. Flynn: I would like to point .out that during the years of 1948 to 1962, several studies of the conditions existing at the Washington County Homes had been made by the State Department of Welfare and the Pennsylvania Economy League, and it was their recommendation that Washington County was in need of a new County Home for the Aged. It was their opinion that a new Home for the aged citizens of Washington County be built. More recently, the Health Facilities Committee of the Washington County Planning Commis- 198 MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. SEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS sion, Mr. John F. Cromwell, Executive Director of the Commission, made a complete and thorough investigation of the Washington County Homes and Hospitals for the Aged, and they strongly recommended the building of a completely new Home and Hospital for the Aged. (Report on file, in the Office of the Chief Clerk) The County Commissioners after holding a number of executive sessions, studying this problem and reviewing work done by a number of architects, cmsidegi�d selecting the firm of Joseph F. Bontempo and Associates, Registered Architects, Rochester, Pennsylvania, to begin making neces- sary plans for a new County Home. Consideration of this firm is based on their record of experience in this field of Ii institutional work. Mr. Bevec: We have consulted with at least seven or eight architects with reference to this work. The firm of Bontempo and Associates have built a number of institutions. In Beaver County, they built a County Home and are presently adding 200 additional rooms to the building.-- In Greene County, they built the Curry Home, also, a Home in Mercer County. This firm has vast experience in the field and they are associated with Michael Baker, Jr., Consulting Engineers from Rochester, Pennsylvania. There is a great possibility for our County to obtain matching funds for this project. It's important that preliminary plans be started so that we may apply for aid from the Federal Government. We must start on these plans now, in order that we may make application for money. Mr. Mazza: The Federal Government will reimburse us this money providing' Washington County'b need for a new County Home and Hospit 1 is great. ! we do not build a new building-. / We have spent approximately 10 to 15 years planning the construction of a new Home. Our buildings are obsolete. I believe we are on the right track in starting to make plans for this project. Money can be obtained from a number of Federal Programs. We should take advantage of these programs. Mr. Bevec: This is a major project and we must start making plans now. Mr. Flynn: We have taken into consideration the years of experience the firm of Bontempo and Associates have. Possible for us to make application for aid i under a number of programs: Accelerated Public Works, Hill -Burton Act, and the Anti - Poverty Act (if bill is passed into law). The Architects, when engaged by our County, i will work in conjunction with our Planning Commission. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by -Mr. Mazza, that the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County proceed with. the necessary plans for the � j j construction of a new County Home (combination home and hospital for aged men and i women) and that the Solicitor be instructed to negotiate the necessary Agreement with the firm of Joseph F. Bontempo and Associates, Registered Architects, 115 Shields Street, Rochester, Pennsylvania, be retained as architects for this project. i Roll call vote taken: f] �J E MINUTE BOOK 199 i BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WASHINGTON COUNTY, PENNSYI_VANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. BEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS c Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec --Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the resignation of George W. Vitteck, Jr., Caseworker for the Child Welfare Services, be accepted; this action to be effective September 18, 1964. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that Russ Romero (Anthony D'Orazio) be granted a leave of absence, without pay, from September 15, 1964 until December 31, 1964. Mr. Romero (D'Orazio) is charged to Account No. 103-B, Courthouse Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Flynn - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Mr. Bevec, seconded by Mr. Mazza, that the Tax Assess- ment Office be authorized to prepare the following tax refunds due to either duplication or overpayment - of real estate tax. 1. Gordon, Clarence A., 143 Erie Street, Washington, Pennsylvania, due to incorrect payment of 1964 County Tax. On July 31, 1964, tax was paid in the amount of $15.77 (net) by Mr. Gordon, on property listed as 2 story shingle house and part lot 123 assessed at $1355.00, property situate in the Sixth Ward of the City of Washington, Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania. This property was transferred in error to Mr. Gordon from the Wheeler, Samuel Estate. Correction slip dated August 24, 1964, transferred the correct property to Mr. Gordon with an assessed valuation of $895.00. Therefore, the amount of tax due on this property is only $10.41 (net) and a refund is due Mr. Gordon in the amount of $5.36. 2. Clore, Glenn H. , and Helen M. , R. D. 2, Box 358, Washington, Pennsylvania, due to overpayment of 1964 County Tax. On June 16, 1964, tax was paid in the amount of $10. 18 on property situate in Amwell Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania, described as 1-1/2 story frame house, 7.102 acre surface, total valuation $875.00. Tax Adjustment No. 3984 reduced this valuation to $120.00 and tax to $1.40 (net), making a refund due in the amount of $8.78. There- fore, a refund is due Glenn H. and Helen M. Clore in said amount of $8. 78. Roll call vote taken: Mr. Mazza - Yes; Mr. Bevec - Yes; Mr. Mazza. - Yes. Motion carried unanimously. The Commissioners, at this time, reviewed the problem concerning the need of a new Juvenile Detention Home. Mr. Bevec: Recently, the County Commissioners considered and proposed a new site where a new Home could be built. The property is located in the 600 block of East Maiden Street, Washington, Pennsylvania. A few days ago, the Commissioners found it necessary to withdraw their appeal to build a new Home in this particular area in order MINUTE BOOK BOARD OF COUNTY C❑MMISSIONERS WASHINGT❑N COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA MICHAEL R. FLYNN, JOHN P. SEVEC, JOHN MAZZA, COMMISSIONERS to appease the people. Although the County withdrew its appeal, the need to build a new ! Home remains. Having a place to keep these children while they await Court disposition is one of the responsibilities of the Commissioners. Under law, juveniles cannot be de- tained at the County Jail. Our problem is very similar to that of Allegheny County I (reference made to the overcrowded conditions at the Home in' Allegheny County, Commis- sioners there are now looking over different houses that may be purchased), but only on a much smaller scale. Mr. Flynn: i The Washington County Commissioners feel that the public shoulc. be enlightened as to why they are endeavoring to find a new location for a Juvenile Detentic n Home. It has long been obvious that a new Detention Home is needed. The former Commissioners were well -aware of existing conditions 1 and sold bonds to finance construction of a new Home, which never materialized. The money from the sale of these bonds was transferred to other funds and expended. The present Board of Commissioners, after taking the Oath of Office on January 6, this year, were confronted with the neglected and dilapidated condition, of many of the County -owned buildings. Among these was the Juvenile Detention Home. Representatives of the State Department of Welfare and the State Department of Health have met with the present Commissioners and informed us that steps must be taken to correct the existing conditions of the present Home. The dwelling is substandard and does not meet the requirements of either State Departments. The responsibility for making the necessary corrections rests on the shoulders of the 3 majority Commissioners. f f We are directly responsible to the taxpayers and have indicated f t our willingness to submit to the will of the majority of the people. However, we feel that the taxpayer, indirectly, also has a responsibility to the society in which we live. It is necessary that we provide safe and adequate housing for these Juvenile delinquents. Mr. Mazza: For a number of years, the need for a new Juvenile Detention Home has been a major concern of the Commissioners. Realizing this need, only a few i I years ago the former Commissioners floated a bond issue for $80, 000. 00 for the purpose i of constructing a new Home. When bids were received, after advertising, the cost to build a new Home was in the neighborhood of $160, 000. 00. The Commissioners dropped their plans to build, and used a large portion of the money to make other necessary improvements. During an open discussion with all those present participating, the / and other projects following methods for financing this project (County Jail, Home for Aged) were mentioned. 1 J