BY STACI WILSON

Commissioner Alan Hall explained the limits of the county ordinance when it comes to the sound proofing of natural gas compressor stations at the Feb. 11 commissioners’ meeting.

After noise concerns were brought before the commissioners at a January meeting, Hall said he researched the matter.

“Noise” he said would be considered a zoning matter and not covered in the county’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO).

The SALDO requirements are for permitting, Hall said, not the operation of the station.

Hall said it was common practice in the industry for engineers to test up to two motors in order to certify the station would operate in compliance in order to secure the permitting.

Once that is done, Hall explained, it falls back to the township or the state.

He said townships could address noise issues through the adoption of a comprehensive plan.

Audience members Vera Scroggins asked, “Aren’t you the enforcers?”

“No,” Hall answered and adding that the county was responsible only for the SALDO permitting. “We’re not involved after the permitting is issued,” he said. “It then goes to the controlling agency.”

In this case, he said, the state would be the controlling entity.

Hall also advocated that Pennsylvania should create a commission, like the one that exists in Arkansas that deals with issues surrounding drilling.

Commissioner Michael Giangrieco said every state with drilling has a similar commission.

“I’m no fan of DEP,” he said adding he didn’t believe the state agency, nor the legislators were responsive to complaints from “regular people.”

Scroggins also attempted to provide the commissioners with what she said was emission testing done by a local group at some area compressor stations.

She said results indicated elevated levels of emissions above “risk levels” and asked for the county to conduct air quality testing.

As the meeting concluded, Hall would not accept Scroggins’ report because he said it was not on letterhead, nor did it have any seal of authenticity.

There was some shuffling of personnel in the chief clerk’s office.

The salary board separated the positions of Deputy Chief Clerk and Director of Human Resources.

Maggie McNamara was named Deputy Chief Clerk; with Richard Ely retaining the Director of Human Resources position.

Misty Chapman was named Human Resource Administrative Coordinator; a Human Resources Clerk position was also created by the salary board.

In other personnel matters, the commissioners accepted, with regret, the resignation of Charles Bullock effective Feb. 13.

A full-time custodian was hired; and one part-time corrections officer transferred into a full-time slot, and another part-time corrections officer was hired.

The commissioners also signed the certification of county funds for the purchase of agricultural conservation easements for the 2015 program year in the amount of $59,545.

Guide rail repairs to four county bridges were approved at a cost of $3,600 to be paid with liquid fuels funds.

The commissioners also approved the contribution to the Susquehanna County Hazmat account in the amount of $27,000. The account supports the local emergency preparedness committee.