County's Lazor phones in votes

Jail workers can carry over their vacation time into 2006.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa. -- It was a first in Mercer County. Out-of-town to attend another meeting, Mercer County Commissioner Olivia Lazor participated in Thursday commissioners' meeting by speakerphone and was able to take part in discussion and cast votes.
Solicitor Mark Longietti said a 1992 Pennsylvania Supreme Court Case allows such participation.
As expected, commissioners encumbered $1.3 million in funds they expect to receive from the Pennsylvania Department of State for new voting machines. That money had to be committed by Jan. 1 even though commissioners cannot choose new voting machines until the state and federal governments decide which machines will be certified.
In related business, commissioners approved a $10,150 expenditure from leftover 2002 Community Development Block Grant money to make the Mill Creek Township building handicap-accessible. All polling places must be accessible as of Jan. 1 under federal law. Money for work at five other sites has already been approved.
Waterline
Also Thursday, Lazor was the only commissioner to object to hiring Enders Plumbing & amp; Heating Co., Kittanning, to install a waterline to the equalization tank at the new county jail for $4,300. Lazor said the waterline would be used only if the tank had to be repaired and she felt it was unnecessary.
The tank holds sewage and under OSHA rules, it would have to be washed out first if any repairs are needed, according to Commissioner Brian Beader. He said the state also required the line, although due to a misunderstanding, it was not a part of the original specifications prepared by the architect.
Commissioner Michele Brooks said the tank cost $450,000 and the county needs to do whatever is necessary to maintain it.
District Attorney James Epstein concurred, stating that the Mercer County Prison Board, of which he is president, also agreed the line is needed.
In other business
Commissioners also agreed to borrow $5 million in a tax anticipation note to provide cash flow for the first quarter of 2006 until tax revenues start coming in.
Fiscal Director John Logan said the year-end borrowing is routine and the county will also realize a net gain from the loan. He explained the county will hold the money for an entire year and collect interest on it. In other business, commissioners:
UOfficially fixed the tax rate for 2006 as announced Dec. 8 when they passed the budget. There is no tax increase.
UApproved the recommendation of the Mercer County Prison Board, allowing the carryover of vacation time into 2006 by jail employees. Commissioners explained that during the recent move to the new jail, all employees were needed and could not take their vacations before the end of the year.
UApproved awarding $80,000 in Act 137 grant funding to the Community Counseling Center of Mercer County to pay down part of a mortgage on a recently purchased apartment building in Sharon and for repair and maintenance on CCC buildings. The apartments are for low-income mentally ill people. The Act 137 money is derived from a fee on properties recorded by the county and is designated for various housing projects.
UAwarded $11,100 in Act 137 funding to the Good Shepherd Center, Greenville, to construct kitchen facilities and install an alarm system at the emergency shelter. Susan Kovacik of Good Shepherd Inc. said the equipment is necessary for the transition of the facility from a 24-hour emergency shelter to a 30-day maximum-stay shelter.
UAccepted a $30,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to replace a 10-year-old car for the sheriff's department. The car is used for the K-9 unit and for emergency services.
UAppointed George Cavanaugh, CEO of Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission Inc., Mercer, to a three-year term on the Mercer County Children and Youth Services Advisory Board and reappointed Janet McDougall of the Cooperative Extension Office, Mercer, Kovacik, and Robert Gentile of Keystone Adolescent Center, Greenville, to three-year terms.
UAwarded contracts to provide legal services to defendants who cannot be represented by the public defender's office to attorneys Jarrett Whalen, Tedd Nesbit, Stephen DelPero and Randall Hetrick. Whalen and Hetrick will get 70 cases each, and Nesbit and DelPero 30 and 25 cases, respectively. Fee per case is $400.
USigned an agreement with Pathways Adolescent Center, Inc., Oil City, for various youth services at rates of $120 to $125 per day.