HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-01-27 Commissioner Minutes TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015
The Franklin County Commissioners met Tuesday, January 27, 2015, with the
following members present: David S. Keller, Robert L. Thomas and Robert G.
Ziobrowski. Chairman Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment
of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by Robert L. Thomas;
unanimously approved to adopt the agenda.
Chairman Keller asked everyone to keep Dick McCracken's family in their
thoughts and prayers. Mr. McCracken recently passed away and he was a current
supervisor for Washington Township. Chairman Keller said he was a public servant and
dear friend of the Commissioners.
Allen Piper provided public comment and wishes the best to Mr. McCracken's
family and thanks the Commissioners for their kind sentiments. Mr. Piper asked for
more information on board action item #11, solicitor contract for the Sheriff's Office. He
asked how this amount is derived and who negotiates the costs. Mr. Piper made a
statement concerning the Franklin County average household income and how the
buying power in the past couple years had gone down and that the Board should be
concerned about the rest of the population. Mr. Piper also stated that he recently heard
with gas prices going down that people are saving the money and not putting it back in
the economy. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked Mr. Piper, in the interest of time, to limit
his comments to county business. Mr. Piper responded that his rights to comment
should not be limited.
The minutes of the January 20, 2015 and January 22, 2015 meetings were
reviewed. These will be approved Thursday, January 29, 2015.
The Board reviewed Agreements, Contracts and Reports. Commissioner
Thomas asked for more explanation on the Sheriff Solicitor contract to answer Mr.
Piper's question. John Hart, County Administrator, explained the work and time involved
is substantial compared to other solicitors since the bulk of the work is sheriff sales and
this rate reflects that. The rate increase is set in place as the same raise county
employees receive, so there is an increase of 2.5%. He explained that in most cases
solicitors dedicate a number of hours and compared to their private practice rates, these
rates are very low. Commissioner Thomas asked for more explanation of board action
item #2, agreement with C.S. Davidson. Mr. Hart explained the engineering costs are
the standard amount and it's based on bridge inspections that started two years ago to
have a more aggressive maintenance program. Most repairs or replacements are
guiderails and the need to bring them up to PennDOT's standards. It's a liability issue if
we don't bring the up to PennDOT's standards. Chairman Keller provided more
information on board action items 8 and 9, agreements with Rhodes Grove and The
Carey Group. He attended the Franklin/Fulton Children's Round Table yesterday that is
chaired by President Judge Van Horn. He said there is excitement about the event in
March and the speaker who helps counties with evidenced based children initiatives.
Commissioner Thomas commented that the price to rent the Rhodes Grove facility for
the juvenile justice event is very economical. The items will be approved Thursday,
January 29, 2015.
Continued on page 2
Chairman Keller said the Board attended an event a few months ago at the Gass
House on Franklin Farm Lane. The Master Gardeners added si na e and other
features regarding Patrick Gass and when they were planting, they found some coins
and artifacts. The Board thanked Bill and Cindy Stead and the Master Gardeners for the
work they completed and for handing over the artifacts they found to County
Administration. Chairman Keller turned the coins and artifacts over to John Hart, County
Administrator, for safe keeping. He will check with the Archives department to see if
there is more of a story and to properly put them on public display. Commissioner
Thomas suggested contacting Kittochtinny Historical Society to see if they could help tell
the story on the items. The artifacts consisted of Native American arrowheads and the
coins were from the mid to early 1700's, 1000's and a few as old as 1672. Mr. Hart
thanked the Board and said he will reach out to Archives and other organizations. He
agreed that it would be good to put them on display. He mentioned that everyone
should do some research on Mr. Gass who set up his home in Mercersburg and was a
very interesting person.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:49 a.m. with a motion by Robert G. iorowsi;
seconded by Robert L. Thomas.
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS