Locally elected and appointed officials voted on the following matters in the past week:
Federal
The U.S. House of Representatives passed House Bill 890 by a vote of 246-181. It denies President Barack Obama's administration the ability to allow states to waive work requirements for welfare recipients. Reps. Thomas A. Marino, R-Cogan Station, and Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Howard, both voted in favor.
State
The state House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 31 by a vote of 195-0. It expands what defines neglect and abuse of elderly and disabled persons. Reps. Rick Mirabito, D-Williamsport; Garth Everett, R-Muncy; Matthew E. Baker, R-Wellsboro; and Michael K. Hanna Sr., D-Lock Haven, voted in favor.
The House also unanimously approved House Bill 523, which would require the non-custodial parent of children for whom Medical Assistance is sought to enroll their children in their own health insurance plan before the state would pay for medical care. Baker, Mirabito, Everett and Hanna voted in favor.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 82 by a vote of 49-0. It modifies the Puppy Lemon Law of 1997 to give consumers more protections. State Sen E. Eugene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, voted in favor.
County
Lycoming County commissioners approved a $150,000 contract with STEP Inc. to provide codes and accessibility improvements to eligible property owners under a "homes in need" program. Commissioners also approved Nicole M. Ippolito as an assistant district attorney at an annual rate of $52,285. Voting in favor of both measures were Jeff C. Wheeland, Tony Mussare and Ernie Larson.
Williamsport Regional Airport Authority members approved a contract with The Zigmund Co. for insurance consulting services from April 1 to March 31, 2014. Voting in favor were Mark Murawski, Atwood Welker, Ryan Tira and Chris Logue. Rebecca Burke, Bill Martin and T. Michael Hughes were absent.
Municipal
South Williamsport Borough Council voted 5-1 to approve a pilot program with UGI Penn Natural Gas that would allow access to natural gas to underserved areas of the borough. Under the agreement, the borough would be responsible to dig trenches for gas lines, while the utility would install and connect eligible property owners. Voting in favor were Benjamin Landon, Dan Cupp, Richard Harris, Ed Weinhoffer and Henry Frey Jr. Robert Cronin voted against the program.
Old Lycoming Township supervisors voted to award a paving contract to Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. for $41,983. The work will include paving Dewey Avenue from Short Street to Frederick Avenue. Supervisors also voted to extend public sewer lines in the Cottage Avenue area to service 24 properties. Voting in favor of both measures were John Eck, Janet Hall and Linda Mazzullo.
Loyalsock Township supervisors voted to transfer ownership of the township's sewer system to the Williamsport Sanitary Authority. Voting in favor were John Bower, Virginia Eaton, Jeff Rauff, Rick Wheeland and Marc Sortman.
Hughesville Borough Council voted to buy a new Ford F-550 dump truck for $59,065. Voting in favor were Jeff Berger, Andrew Mook, James Savage, Curtis Michael, Mary Burns and Richard Smith.
Jersey Shore Borough Council approved a downtown sidewalk replacement project for its 2013 Community Development Block Grant funding. Voting yes were Kenneth Scheesley, Marguerite Dyroff, John Pisarcik, Janet Barnhart, Wade Snyder, Sean Simcox and Deborah Colocino.
Montgomery Borough Council approved a buffer zone planting agreement with the Lycoming County Department of Planning and Community Development to prevent flooding in a public area near Adams Creek. Voting 6-0 were Jim McCarty, J.J. Maygar, Whitlow Wertz, Lyn Crist, Rick Williams and Donald Feaster. Councilman Rod Metzger was absent.
City Recreation Commission voted in favor of bringing a proposal before City Council to have any organization that wants to use city parks and facilities to provide proof of insurance liability and a schedule of play to the commission. Voting 3-0 were Rodney Morgans, Becky Lundy and Vivian Marino.
Muncy Township supervisors approved an amendment to the 2012 budget to include an additional $38,000-plus reflected as arriving from the natural gas well impact fees. Voting 3-0 for the amendment were Paul Wentzler, Tom Schaech and Gregory Gilbert.
Bowman Field Commission approved use of Bowman Field after requests by Hughesville High School, an organization that wants to hold a yard sale and the Williamsport Area High School Band Parents. In favor were Lou Hunsinger Jr., Wayne Fausnaught and Jason Fink.
School district
Montoursville Area School Board voted in favor of allowing Loyalsock School District to use Montoursville's track and field facilities. Voting yes were Dale Ulmer, Tom McNamara, Ellen Stoner, James Bergen and Jill Kaplan. Voting against were Dora Pioli and George Hagemeyer. Scott Konkle and Jeff Schans were absent.
The board also voted to require residents to notify the district in writing if they are seeking refunds of delinquent fees they paid on the per capita tax. Voting yes were Ulmer, McNamara, Stoner, Bergen, Kaplan, Pioli and Hagemeyer.
Jersey Shore Area School Board voted 7-0 to approve Policy 903, regarding public participation in board meetings, at first reading. Voting in favor were board members Shelley Helm, Robert Pryor, Heather Williamson, Craig Allen, Denise Smith, Harry Miller and Karen Stover. Board members Harry Brungard and John Shireman were absent from the vote.
