Meeting results in many hirings for program

The commissioners authorized a land purchase for bridge improvements.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa. -- The 2006 West Nile Virus monitoring and eradication program is under way in Mercer County, part of a statewide effort that has greatly reduced the number of cases in Pennsylvania since it began in 2001.
The program is funded here by a $70,280 state grant.
County commissioners approved a final hiring in the program Thursday with the hiring of Stuart Shaley as a part-time technician. He joins Michael Chess, a full-time technician hired earlier this month, in the program which is run by the Mercer County Soil Conservation District. Chess is being paid $11 hourly and Shaley, $8.30.
He said the program consists of testing mosquito populations for the virus and spraying larvicide on standing water, as well as an educational program. Chess said that eradicating 30 percent to 40 percent of mosquitoes stops the disease from spreading. Chess said Thursday that no mosquitoes have tested positive in the county this year.
He said the program will continue until November or as long as the warm weather lasts.
According to the state's West Nile Virus Program Web site, the following numbers of humans and birds in Mercer County tested positive for the virus since record keeping began:
2000 -- No cases.
2001 -- 37 birds, no humans.
2002 -- 28 birds, one human.
2003 -- nine birds, four humans.
2004 -- No cases.
2005 -- No cases.
Contracts, purchases, clerical jobs
In other business, commissioners approved a contract Thursday with S & amp;S Elevator Co., Inc., Youngstown, to service the courthouse elevator. The rate is $520 per month for twice-monthly service calls beginning Aug. 17 for three years. The contract covers labor and costs. Officials said the company has been maintaining the elevator for 24 years.
Also Thursday, commissioners approved a "declaration of taking" which allows them to set a price for 2,179 square feet of land needed for a right-of-way for reconstruction of the Chestnut Street Bridge in Grove City. The land is between Harvard Street and Wolf Creek.
County Engineer Mark Miller said the owner of the land cannot be determined. The estimated just compensation for the land will be deposited with common pleas court in case the owner comes forward later, he said.
Commissioners also approved the hiring of Cindy Jorewicz of Hermitage as a clerical assistant in the district attorney's office at $11.42 hourly, and the hiring of Linda Nulph of Grove City as clerical assistant in the treasurer's office at $10.88 per hour.
Commissioners also appointed Davina Sowers of Hermitage to a three-year term on the Mental Health/Retardation Advisory Board from July 1, 2006, to June 30, 2009.
Commissioner Brian Beader did not attend the meeting He was in Atlantic City speaking to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers about its members' seeking public office. Beader is an electrician.