HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-06 Commissioner Minutes
MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2020
The Franklin County Commissioners met Monday, January 6, 2020, with the following
members present: David S. Keller, John T. Flannery and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Commissioner
Keller presided and after calling the meeting to order, moment of silence and the Pledge of
Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to adopt the agenda.
Fred Young from Antrim Township provided public comment and wanted to congratulate
that traditionally the top vote getter gets to be chairman. He explained the difference in the
votes between Commissioner Flannery and Commissioner Keller in both the Primary and
Municipal Election. He said there is concern that Mr. Flannery is a brand new commissioner but
he has worked with Mr. Flannery on various boards and he is a good leader. He mentioned
how many years ago Sam Worley was elected and he was the top vote getter and he served
eight years as Chairman. Mr. Worley said he learned very quickly. Mr. Young implored the
Commissioners to respect the will of the people and to make Mr. Flannery Chairman of the
Commissioners so he can lead forward on the direction of the voters.
Chris Ardinger from Montgomery Township wanted to echo what Mr. Young said. He
campaign and worked with him for many years. He thinks the Board will
make a great team of Commissioners and they will get a lot accomplished. He continued that
Stu McCleaf from Washington Township echoed the words of Mr. Young and Mr.
decision but John would be a good leader. He deserves the chance since the electorate chose
him as the top vote getter.
not sure how many years Mr. Keller or Mr. Ziobrowski have been in office, but there needs to be
should give Mr. Flannery a chance. Mr. Panko liked what Mr. Flannery said during his
ere for two terms. He would like to see Mr. Flannery in charge and give
him a chance to see what he can do.
Commissioner Robert Thomas wanted to present Commissioner Flannery with an
that he acquired in 2004.
He asked that he take it as respect to him and as a reminder of his service to the County. He
asked for an explanation on how the appointments were determined specifically the
Conservation District Board is the one that he is most interested in. Commissioner Keller said
they will address that question when they get to that part of the agenda.
Commissioner Ziobrowski said he would like to nominate Commissioner Keller for
Chairman. Commissioner Flannery said that, against his will, he would like to nominate himself
as Chairman. Commissioner Keller said he finds himself in an awkward position but he
supporters and up until ten years ago it was common that the top voter got chairman but he
commissioners to organize every four years but Franklin County reorganizes on an annual
basis. He acknowledged that Mr. Flannery is tremendously qualified on how to run a meeting
Continued on page 2
and invite public comment but there is a lot more to being chairman. The chairman speaks for
the County and deals with the press on a daily basis. Continuing, he said the goals and mission
of the County must be communicated clearly and appropriately. Chairman Keller continued that
certainly does not intend to be chairman indefinitely and he is hoping that Mr. Flannery can be
Mr. Worley, and noted Mr. Worley had a history of public service on the Chambersburg Borough
Council prior to being elected commissioner. He said he would consider Mr. Flannery for
chairman in the future. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by David S. Keller;
approved to appoint David S. Keller as Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners of Franklin
County for 2020. Commissioner Flannery opposed the vote.
On a motion by David S. Keller, seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; John T. Flannery
was elected as Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners of Franklin County for 2020.
On a motion by John T. Flannery, seconded by David S. Keller; Robert G. Ziobrowski
was elected as Secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Franklin County for 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved the following holidays: Commissioner Ziobrowski wanted to mention that there is no
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY - January 20
GOOD FRIDAY April 10
MEMORIAL DAY - May 25
INDEPENDENCE DAY - July 3
LABOR DAY - September 7
VETERANS DAY - November 11
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - November 26 & 27
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY - December 24 & 25
January 1, 2021
Chairman Keller said that Commissioners Flannery and Ziobrowski have some ideas on
meeting dates. Commissioner Flannery said that he has attended commissioners meetings and
he campaigned on that fact that he does not feel we need two meetings a week. He is
proposing meeting one day a week, on Thursdays, and he would like evening meetings at 7:00
PM and he proposes moving meetings once a quarter to other municipalities. Commissioner
Ziobrowski said he would not support having only evening meetings, but he is in favor of having
occasional meetings in municipalities during the evening. But his motion would be to continue
with the same schedule we have now and continue with additional discussions to have
occasional evening meetings but not so often as once a week. Commissioner Flannery asked
convenient for voters of Franklin County to have morning meetings. Ms. Gray said she has
three aspects to her response. First, she knows the Board has been interested in getting more
feedback from the public and she believes there to be an opportunity to widen the audience with
how the meeting is formatted and transmitted. She continued that logistically if things changed
it would be helpful to have some time to prepare. With meetings twice each week, Board has
been most prepared to have public review. In closing, she said that staff will be supportive of
whatever the Board decides and will carry out their wishes. Chairman Keller said, to Mr.
worth revisiting. He would like to see a motion to adopt the hours as they are presently and ask
staff to establish four evening meetings throughout the year and identifying dates with times and
locations. He suggests we walk before we run and find out how well the public receives
meetings on a quarterly basis. He is willing to look at moving meetings to once a week but he
Continued on page 3
would like Ms. Gray to research how other counties do it. He continued that Franklin County
meets more often than other counties do. At least we can agree to have four quarterly meetings
outside of Chambersburg but otherwise adopt hours as presented. Commissioner Ziobrowski
accepts the amendment to his motion and Commissioner Flannery said he will accept that and
continue to work with Ms. Gray and moving forward it will be brought up in the near future so he
is willing to second the motion. Commissioner Ziobrowski said it would be too inconvenient for
staff but Commissioner Flannery disagrees and with comp time he thinks staff could work it out.
The motion was approved to have regular meetings of the Franklin County Commissioners,
Salary Board, Retirement Board, Board Of Commissioners and Election Board each Tuesday
and Thursday starting at 9:30 a.m. except Tuesday, April 28; Tuesday, August 18; Tuesday,
November 3; Thursday, November 27; and Thursday, December 24, 2020. The following dates
the meetings will be held beginning at 2:00 PM due to the Commissioners attending the County
Commissioners Association of PA Conference: Tuesday, March 24 and Tuesday, November
24, 2020. The motion includes followup on including four quarterly meetings outside of
Chambersburg.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved the County office hours being maintained between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30
p.m., Monday through Friday. Lunch breaks will be one-half (1/2 hour) in duration and each
department head will be responsible for staggering employee lunch breaks so as to provide
services to the public for the full eight (8) hours of each business day.
Ms. Gray explained the process for appointing members to the Soil Conservation Board.
She explained that the Commissioners received recommendations from entities and individuals
interested in serving on the Board. She explained that there are two types of seats on the board
- farmer and public directors. Applications were reviewed by Commissioners Keller and
Ziobrowski and the names were provided to staff to place on the agenda for today. The names
were also provided to the State Conservation District.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint David S. Keller to serve on the Franklin County Soil Conservation District
Board for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Robert G. Ziobrowski to serve on the Mental Health/Intellectual and
Developmental Disabilities Advisory Board for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint John T. Flannery to serve on the Franklin County Children and Youth
Advisory Board for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint David S. Keller to the Drug & Alcohol Advisory Board for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint David S. Keller to the Franklin County Library Board for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint David S. Keller, John T. Flannery, and Robert G. Ziobrowski to the Local
Emergency Planning Committee for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint David S. Keller to the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for the year 2020.
Continued on page 4
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Robert G. Ziobrowski to the Council of Governments Board for the year
2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Robert G. Ziobrowski as the local elected official to the South Central
Workforce Development Board for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint David S. Keller, John T. Flannery and Robert G. Ziobrowski to the
Tuscarora Managed Care Alliance for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint John T. Flannery to serve on the Franklin County Penn State
University Cooperative Extension Board for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint John T. Flannery to serve on the Hagerstown Eastern Region Metropolitan
Planning Organization for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Robert G. Ziobrowski to serve on the Penn State Mont Alto Campus
Advisory Board for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Robert G. Ziobrowski to serve on the Franklin County Blighted Review
Committee for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint John T. Flannery to the Franklin County Visitors Bureau Board for the year
2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint David S. Keller, John T. Flannery and Robert G. Ziobrowski to the Franklin
County Metropolitan Planning Organization for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Jodi Martin as Chief Assessor for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Carrie E. Gray as Chief Clerk for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Justin Slep as V
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Casey Bogner as Chief Public Defender for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Hannah Herman-Snyder as Assistant County Solicitor for the year 2020.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Stacey Brookens as MH/IDD/EI Administrator
Continued on page 5
The Board reviewed appointments to the Agricultural Land Preservation Board. On a
motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to
appoint Greg Cook, Jeff Grove, George Fries, II and Edward Brake for a three (3) year term to
expire on December 31, 2022.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Planning Commission. On a motion by Robert
G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to appoint Cindy Lawver,
Dr. John Benhart, and Dr. George Pomeroy for a four (4) year term to expire on December 31,
2023.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Letterkenny Industrial Development Authority
Board. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Glenn (Chip) Deardorff, Jr., Angela Fogelsonger and Robin Harman for a
five (5) year term to expire on December 31, 2024.
The Board reviewed appointments to the General Authority Board. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to appoint Dr.
John Benhart for a five (5) year term to expire on December 31, 2024.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Franklin County Emergency Services Alliance
Committee. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint John Thierwechter and Jacob Crider as Primaries and Matthew Kendall
and Robert Povlich as Alternates for a one (1) year term to expire on December 31, 2020.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Local Emergency Planning Committee. On a
motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to
appoint William Durfee, Matthew Kendall and Mike Ross for a three (3) year term to expire on
December 31, 2022.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Franklin County Library Board. On a motion by
Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to appoint Patricia
McClain for a two (2) year term to expire on December 31, 2021.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Franklin County Soil Conservation Board. On
a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to
appoint Mike Ross as Public Director and Paul Witter as Farmer Director for a four (4) year term
to expire on December 31, 2023.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Franklin County Redevelopment Authority
Board. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Patrick Fleagle for a five (5) year term to expire on December 31, 2024.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Metropolitan Planning Organization. On a
motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved to
appoint Jessica Clark and Michelle Tarquino for a three (3) year term to expire on December 31,
2022.
The Board reviewed appointments to the Franklin County Board of Assessment of
Appeals. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to appoint Jeffery S. Brown, Kerry Watson and Gary Pentz as board members and
Thomas Donohue as an alternate board member.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to accept the Franklin County Handbook and Personnel Policies with amendments
and any policy conflicting with these policies is hereby repealed in so far as the same affects
these policies. A copy of this handbook is maintained in the Commissioner
Continued on page 6
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to accept the Franklin County Jail Handbook and Personnel Policies with
amendments and any policy conflicting with these policies is hereby repealed in so far as the
file.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to accept the Franklin County Emergency Management Services Handbook and
Personnel Policies with amendments and any policy conflicting with these policies is hereby
repealed in so far as the same affects these policies. A copy of this handbook is maintained in
ice file.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
anual is hereby
repealed in so far as the same affects this manual. A copy of this manual is maintained in the
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved to accept the Risk Management Health and Safety Manual and include it as part of
repealed in so far as the same affects this manual. A copy of this manual is maintained in the
Office file.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
amendments and any policy conflicting with these policies is hereby repealed in so far as the
file.
On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously
approved the list of policies and any policy conflicting with these policies is hereby repealed in
so far as the same affects these policies. A copy of these policies is maintained in the
The Board reviewed the Tax Return Days for Tax Duplicates. On a motion by Robert G.
Ziobrowski, seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the following tax return days
of tax duplicates:
County, Township/Borough, School, and the First, Second Interim/Supplement
duplicates for the Year 2019, along with 2018 Third and Fourth Quarter
Interim/Supplement duplicate will be returned by Wednesday, January 15, 2020.
Year 2019 Third and Fourth Quarter Interim/Supplement duplicates will be returned by
Friday, January 15, 2021.
Year 2020 Franklin County Tax Duplicates will be available at the Tax Services office on
Monday, January 27, 2020.
Continued on page 7
The Board reviewed Personnel matters. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski,
seconded by John T. Flannery; unanimously approved the following revised position
descriptions: Accounting Manager, Human Resources Coordinator Training and
Development, Human Resources Generalist Employee Benefits, Human Resources
Generalist, Human Services Administrator and Risk Manager.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:07 p.m. with a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski;
seconded by John T. Flannery.
Carrie E. Gray
County Administrator/Chief Clerk
FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
____________________________________
David S. Keller, Chairman
_____________________________________
John T. Flannery
_____________________________________
Robert G. Ziobrowski