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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-04-22 Commissioner Minutes Wednesday, April 22, 2026 The Franklin County Commissioners met on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, with the following members present: Dean A. Horst and Robert G. Ziobrowski. Commissioner Flannery joined remotely. Commissioner Horst presided and after calling the meeting to order, a Moment of Silence, and the Pledge of Allegiance, proceeded with the business of the day. Commissioner Horst asked that the quote for the Sheriff be removed from the agenda. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the amended agenda. There was public comment from Herb Dolaway who thanked the Commissioners for pulling the quote for the Sheriff. Mr. Dolaway said he valued technology because, during a past ridealong with the Chambersburg Borough police, he saw how cameras helped officers identify and eventually arrest a person who had broken into a car. However, he expressed concern relationship with ICE, which he described as having a deeply negative reputation. He said he had long participated in peaceful protests and questioned why large peaceful gatherings would need to be monitored. Mr. Dolaway stated that his concern centered on trust, specifically, that Department to use the equipment appropriately given its ICE agreement. He urged the Commissioners, when approving the purchase, to ensure some form of oversight on how the equipment would be used. Valerie Jordan said she planned to email Sheriff Sites to express her disappointment s to gathering. She stressed that peaceful assembly was a constitutional right and noted that her Republican husband had attended one of the protests. She said she was upset and wanted Sheriff Sites to donate the money to county abuse victims. She explained that a borough official told her the priority was residents and established businesses, and she urged the Commissioners to take the same approach. She emphasized the issue was not political and affected everyone in the county. Ms. Jordan asked how much it would cost the county to create a map like Jessup, New Jersey to show where data centers could be located. She referenced recent events in Loudoun County, Virginia and said she had done unpaid work for the county and supported future appropriations to help abuse victims. She also noted paying her 5% county deficit, saying the money could have gone toward groceries. Ms. Jordan told the Commissioners they faced a difficult road ahead and would likely need to raise taxes to support the poor and abused. She ended by saying the county had taken too much money from residents. Kim Wertz said she understood that the county government could not regulate who or what entered the county, since that authority belonged to the municipalities. She asked whether the county had any way, through leverage or legislation, to make it economically disadvantageous for AI data centers to locate here. She questioned whether the county could impose measures that would significantly hinder or discourage data centers from coming in. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved to adopt the consent agenda. Minutes from April 15, 2026. Vouchers in the amount of $4,083,926.37. Project modification request #6 for the Indigent Defense grant from Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Franklin County has been allocated an additional $95,953.00 in the form of a non-competitive grant. This supplemental funding will be used for personnel, benefits, travel, equipment, supplies and operating expenses and consultants. There is no County match required. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Dell for the annual refresh of employee personal computer equipment. It includes a mix of machines from Dell to replace old equipment that is no longer supported and has worn out at a cost not to exceed $238,887.81 to be paid from various funds, including human services and the General Fund. Agreement between the County of Franklin and Hickory Hollow Sawyers for the purchase and harvest of the Franklin County Black Walnut Trees located on Franklin Farm Road. The Board reviewed regular agenda items. Assistant County Administrator John Thierwechter provided a high-level overview of each of the actions. The Board reviewed Proclamation #2026-11 for the purpose of proclaiming April 25 Earth Day. Mr. Thierwechter introduced Senior Planner Colleen Tidd. Ms. Tidd explained that she was there to speak about the upcoming Earth Day celebration and recycling fundraiser hosted by Buttonwood Nature Center. She explained that the event would take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pine Hill Recreation Area in Waynesboro, with a yard sale beforehand. She noted that many vendors typically attended, along with live music, food trucks, and art displays. She added that Commissioner Ziobrowski planned to attend to read the proclamation and that the Planning Department would also have a table at the event. Commissioner Horst read the proclamation which has been made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that Commissioner Flannery often teased him about his age, noting that he had been in college in 1970 when Earth Day was first established. He recalled the significant environmental degradation occurring at that time and noted that President Richard Nixon signed the Clean Air Act and other major environmental measures, which led to substantial progress. Commissioner Ziobrowski said he was proud, 56 years later, to offer his support for Earth Day. On a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery; the Board unanimously approved the proclamation. The Board reviewed Proclamation #2026-12 for the purpose of proclaiming April 19-25, 2026 Library Week. Mr. Thierwechter introduced Andrew Vickers, Executive Director of the Franklin County Library System. Mr. Vickers thanked the Commissioners for having him and Summit area. He reported that in 2025 the system offered nearly 1,800 programs with about 29,000 attendees, and the bookmobile made 537 stops serving more than 10,000 county residents, many of them seniors or people in remote areas. He added that the Book Buggy made 249 stops at preschools and childcare centers to support early literacy. Mr. Vickers said the Library of Things continued to grow, offering items ranging from puzzles and games to musical instruments, STEM toys, kitchen equipment, outdoor gear, and tools, even a pizza oven available at the Grove branch. Looking ahead, he said a major priority for 2026 was replacing the aging Book Buggy, noting the current 2002 model was purchased used in 2008 and now required increasing maintenance. The replacement would cost about $230,000.00, and the Kentucky Derby Party scheduled for Saturday, May 2, from 58 p.m. at the Middle Haven Life Center, featuring food, drinks, games, and a screening of the Derby. Mr. Vickers closed by thanking the Commissioners for their support, Patriot Federal Credit Union for sponsoring the annual appeal, and his staff and board members for their ongoing commitment to the community. Commissioner Horst thanked Mr. Vickers, his staff, and everyone involved for their libraries and noted that they offered far more than people might expect. He added that the system was strong and valuable to the community, and he expressed gratitude for all they did. Commissioner Flannery thanked Mr. Vickers for the update and said it sounded like the library system was extremely busy and doing great work for the community. He joked that the mention of a pizza oven caught his attention because he made his own dough and sauce at home. He closed by thanking the library system again and encouraging them to keep up their good work. Commissioner Ziobrowski stated that maybe Commissioner Flannery would like to go out to Grove Library to make pizza for folks. Commissioner Flannery stated he would love to try. Commissioner Horst invited anyone from Patriot Federal Credit Union to speak. Ms. Evana Giannini introduced herself as a new member of Patriot, having joined in December. She said one of the first sponsorships she participated in was for the Franklin County Library, so she was glad when Alice invited her to attend the meeting. Ms. Giannini said she was happy to be present, She noted that it sounded like the library had a strong year in 2025 and thanked everyone involved. Commissioner Horst read the proclamation which has been made a part of these minutes. On a motion by John T. Flannery; Seconded by Robert G. Ziobrowski; the Board unanimously approved the proclamation. Mr. Thierwechter introduced Stacey Brookens, Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities/Early Intervention (MH/IDD/EI) Administrator and Jennifer Hawbecker, Early Intervention Program Specialist to present the Early Intervention program to keep everyone well acquainted with the different programs with their emerging trends, topics of interest and any concerns they may have. Their presentation was made a part of these minutes. Commissioner Horst thanked Ms. Brookens and Ms. Hawbecker for their work in the community, especially their efforts to support children. He said children were the future and emphasized the importance of helping them as much as possible. He expressed his appreciation and offered his gratitude and blessings for the work they were doing. Commissioner Flannery said the presentation was very well done and thanked the speakers for the work they carried out throughout the community. Commissioner Ziobrowski asked how know what they needed or what resources were available. He requested an explanation of the referral system, how children were flagged, how families were connected to support, and how the program ultimately helped them. Ms. Hawbecker explained that many referrals came from pediatricians, since infants and toddlers were seen frequently and screened for developmental delays. She said referrals also came from childcare centers, nursefamily programs, Early Head Start, and other community partners. Part of her role involved educating the community by attending fairs and childdevelopment events to raise awareness. She also highlighted the Local Interagency Coordinating Council, where the library was an active partner and helped share information during programs like story time. She added that many families referred themselves directly. When asked whether families were ever reluctant to accept help, she said some were hesitant because services were provided in the home, even though home visits were beneficial up question, she confirmed that they could meet families in alternate locations if a family was uncomfortable or embarrassed about a home visit. She said accommodations had been made in the past, and services were provided wherever families preferred. Ms. Brookens explained that Ms. Hawbecker had previously worked with NICU staff, speaking with nurses about how to support new mothers who were often scared or overwhelmed, especially when medical concerns were present. She said nurses could connect those mothers with someone who could make them feel more comfortable and explain available services. She added that if a mother was uncomfortable with a home visit, services could be provided at another location. She emphasized the importance of getting support to families as early as possible so that no developmental progress was delayed. Commissioner Ziobrowski ended with the importance that people know there are so many things that the county does that most of the residents are unaware of. Commissioner Flannery, during new business, noted that data centers continued to be a frequent topic during public comment and reminded everyone that another public meeting on th the issue was scheduled for Tuesday evening, the 28at 6 p.m. He said his understanding was what could and could not be done within the Subdivision And Land Development Ordinance (SALDO). He wanted to highlight this for the public and confirm the details. Commissioner Horst stated that Dr. George Pomeroy, Professor of Geography & Earth Science at Shippensburg University would speak about howzoning works here in Pennsylvania and at the end there will be a legal person there to answer questions. Commissioner Flannery also addressed comments (3.06) from the agenda. He said he supported removing it in order to gather more information, conduct further research, and determine whether funding was available. He added that he was concerned by public suggestions of equipment misuse, trust issues, or disappointment with the sheriff. Commissioner Flannery stated that he had known Sheriff Sites for many years and believed the sheriff cared deeply about the safety of the community and its residents. The meeting was adjourned at 10:51a.m. on a motion by Robert G. Ziobrowski; Seconded by John T. Flannery. John K. Thierwechter Assistant County Administrator FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ____________________________________ Dean A. Horst, Chairman ____________________________________ John T. Flannery ___________________________________ Robert G. Ziobrowski *May be assisted by Copilot