BY STACI WILSON

The resignation of Susquehanna County Chief Clerk Constance Hitchcock was accepted, with regret, at the May 27 commissioners meeting, Her last day as Chief Clerk was May 28.

Hitchcock served in the position for about one year. Prior to her appointment as Chief Clerk, she was employed as the Deputy Chief Clerk.

Robin Bebla of Hallstead was hired as the Recycling Center Assistance Processing Manager, effective May 27.

The County Salary Board created a part-time Deputy Coroner position; and in the commissioners meeting, the appointment of Sean Hennessey to the position by Coroner Tony Conarton was acknowledged by the commissioners.

Conarton said this year he has consistently been one month ahead on the number of cases investigated by the coroner’s office.

Audience member Vera Scroggins asked why the number of deaths in the county was up.

Conarton said the cases dealt with in his office “encompass everyting” including the elderly, drug overdoses, etc.

Scroggins went on to ask about the number of “gas worker” deaths.
The coroner said that in the six years of natural gas drilling in the county, there have been four “gas worker” deaths, all from natural causes, he said.

The Salary Board also created a full-time Human Resources Administrative Assistant position.

On May 22, the salary board convened to create a dual position of Deputy Chief Clerk/Human Resources Director; the commissioners then convened a meeting and appointed Richard Ely to the position.

At the May 27 meeting, the board also added to the job duties of Rachel Carrico, the Administrative Assistant/Emergency Management Grant Coordinator to now include Purchasing Manager.