Lycoming County commissioners voted to approve the purchase of an envelope opening machine for Voter Services but not before discussion about the necessity of the technology.

The machine, to be purchased for $16,343 from Quadient, will be used for the large volume of mail-in ballots arriving in the primary election, according to county Voter Services Director Forest Lehman.

“The piece of equipment is really needed for long-term purposes. Mail-ins will be with us every year. There is no limit to the number of people who want to do mail-ins,” he said. “I anticipate this number to go up and go up a lot.”

The vote to purchase the machine was 2-1.

Voting in favor were Commissioners Rick Mirabito and Scott Metzger. Voting against was Tony Mussare.

Mussare explained that he felt temporary workers could be hired to do the job of the machine.

He noted that many people are out of work due to COVID-19 and would welcome the chance to earn some money.

“Let’s put some people to work,” he said.

Mirabito said it might not be such a good idea to bring people in to work the election with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

He also said, “We have a responsibility to make sure ballots are counted.”

Metzger said the county has a responsibility to make sure that elections are secure, and the machine offers greater reliability in that regard. He also noted that the machine can be used for a variety of purposes, including jury-related mail and other functions of the county.

County officials made it clear that people have the right to vote either way they choose — by mail-in ballot or at the polls.

Mussare and Metzger pointed to a recent newspaper notice placed by Voter Services that may have misled some people into believing that they shouldn’t go to the polls.

“Obviously, people should realize that polls are open,” Mussare said.

It was noted that the county will be reimbursed by the federal government for purchase of the machine.

Commissioners took no action on a zoning ordinance amendment permitting hunting preserves in Resource Protection, Agriculture and Countryside districts following a public hearing on the matter.

Stacy Fry, of Muncy Township, has proposed opening the commercial hunting area on land he owns near Pennsdale.

The county planning commission recommended the zoning amendment for approval in November.

The amendment came before the commissioners in January but was tabled at that time as well.

“I don’t understand what the problem is,” Fry said. “It’s on family property. We have hunted there for 50 years.”

Mirabito said he is concerned about opening other areas of the county to hunting.

“I see this partially as an economic development issue. There is value in real estate and living in a countryside district,” he said.

It was pointed out that people signed a petition opposing the hunting preserve.

However, Muncy Township Supervisor Thomas Schaech called into question the petition, claiming many of those people signing it don’t live in the township.

“That would invalidate the petition,” he said.

Mussare said he didn’t feel comfortable about voting on the matter at this time.

It was agreed to again consider the issue at the commissioners’ May 19 meeting.