BY STACI WILSON

The county commissioners are moving forward with plans to implement an energy savings project in the courthouse complex in Montrose.

The county will be advertising a request for proposals for an Act 39 Guaranteed Energy Savings Project.

Johnson Controls representative Nick Sracic said his company has done similar projects at the Blue Ridge School District and in Bradford County.

The Elk Lake School District recently approved an energy savings project, which will coincide with the conversion of the district’s heating fuel to natural gas.

The courthouse complex will likely also convert its heating fuel from coal to natural gas as the Leatherstocking Gas Company begins bringing distribution lines from Bridgewater Twp. into Montrose this year.

Scracic said the energy savings project would address the heating and cooling challenges in the building – improving the infrastructure while reducing the costs to operate the buildings.

Sracic said the Blue Ridge study was completed about three years ago and realized above projected savings by increasing the energy efficiency of the lighting and building equipment.

A conversion to natural gas as a fuel source is part of the project underway at the Elk Lake district.

Cosmetic improvements continue at the courthouse. The commissioners approved the purchase of carpet tiles from Interface, Lagrange, Ga., for about $6,420. The price is about $2,500 less than a previous quote.

Commissioner Alan Hall said the county looked for the greatest cost savings and are purchasing the tiles directly from the manufacturer.

In the past year, renovations have been made in several offices.

In personnel matters, William Briggs was transferred from the position of Assistant Processing Manager at the county recycling center to the Processing Manager position, effective March 19.

The commissioners also acknowledged the hiring by Sheriff Lance Benedict of Briana Hollenbeck as a Deputy Sheriff, effective March 24.

The termination of Shalane Jarnagin from the commissioners office was ratified, effective March 19 was ratified.