BY STACI WILSON

As the state budget impasse continues its impacts are being felt in Susquehanna County and the county is stepping in to make sure services continue to some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.

The Area Agency on Aging has not been able to pay its service providers since July, the county commissioners reported at the Wednesday, Oct. 13 meeting.

In July and August, the amount owed is about $100,000.

The county plans to step in to ensure services – like delivered home meals, and in-home care – continue.
After some discussion where Commissioner Michael Giangrieco questioned the language of the motion on the agenda, he said, “I’m in favor of helping out; I just want to make sure it’s done the correct way.”

But the commissioners didn’t want to wait two weeks until the next meeting to provide any relief to the agency.

And the commissioners didn’t pull their punches when it came to the state’s obligations.

Commissioner Alan Hall said the state was obligated to provide for the elderly services.

“They are all getting paid,” he said of the state lawmakers, “and these people are not getting their services. And not local taxpayers have to fund (the services).”

Giangrieco put forth a motion to assist the Area Agency on Aging for services provided to the elderly in Susquehanna County for the months of July and August, with verification for those costs. The county will be reimbursed after the state passes the budget.

It was announced in Wayne County that if the budget impasse continues into December, seniors would be the first to see services cut.

The county salary board created a non-union, full-time temporary Assistant District Attorney position in the District Attorney’s office beginning Nov. 15 and ending Jan. 3 at midnight, at a salary of $4,000 per month, with the first month prorated.

Robert Klein was hired by the commissioners to fill the position. Klein received both the Republican and Democratic primary election nods in the District Attorney race and is unopposed on the November ballot.

Current District Attorney Jason Legg received the support of both parties in his bid to become the President Judge of the Susquehanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Last month, the commissioners hired County Treasurer candidate Jason Miller as a temporary, part-time deputy in the treasurer’s office. Miller also received the support of both parties in the primary and is unopposed in the November general election.

In other personnel matters, the resignation of Betty Phillips for the purpose of retirement was accepted, with regret; and Cheyanne Daniels resignation from the maintenance department , as well as Joshua Hale’s resignation from the sheriff’s office, was also accepted, with regret.

The commissioners also accepted the resignation of M. Brody Webster from the Susquehanna County Conservation District board, effective Sept. 21.

Two 911 dispatcher trainees were hired by the county.

The Tax Claim Bureau was exonerated from collecting delinquent taxes on Bridgewater Twp. parcel consisting of a trailer in the name of Jenniefer Paolucci. The trailer was exonerated by assessment on Sept. 24 as unlivable. Total amount exonerated from collection was about $699.

Service agreements were signed for equipment at the county recycling center.

EMA Coordinator Paul Johnson was appointed by the commissioners as the Weather Ready Nation Ambassador for Susquehanna County.