Lycoming County commissioners table action on contract related to $440K radio tower project
Lycoming County commissioners are seeking answers on a contract involving the emergency radio communications system.
In 2018, the county signed a $440,000 agreement with MCM Consulting Group, Inc., St. Mary’s, to evaluate the system and consider a company for the work.
Commissioners were prepared at Tuesday’s meeting to approve an extension of the agreement with MCM until questions arose.
Commissioner Rick Mirabito said MCM never performed a Request for Proposals for a company and therefore should not receive further payments for its work.
“If I hire someone to do a roof and deck on my house and they don’t put the deck on, they can’t charge us for everything,” he said. “If they don’t do the RFP, they should come to us and say we won’t charge you. I don’t think we are in the wrong for asking for a refund.”
Motorola was hired for the radio system work.
Commissioner Tony Mussare said he wasn’t sure if the contract could be renegotiated, but noted it would certainly be worth an attempt.
Mirabito made a motion to table the matter, which was seconded by Mussare.
The vote to table was 3-0 with Mirabito, Mussare and Commissioner Scott Metzger each voting yes.
In other matters, commissioners approved the purchase and installation of security doors from Lezzer Commercial Doors, Williamsport for $42,753.
The doors will be installed at District Judge William Solomon’s new office site in Old Lycoming Township.
The purchase is expected to be made through COSTARS, the state’s cooperative purchasing program allowing local governments to procure products more cost-effectively.
Commissioners approved a grant application with the state Department of Community and Economic Development for $1.28 million.
The COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program will be used to fund eligible restaurants, bars, hotels, and other businesses impacted by the pandemic.
Funding cannot exceed $50,000 for any single business.
SEDA-Council of Governments will serve as the administrative agency for the program.
Commissioners approved a $260,343 state grant agreement for the victim/witness program.
In personnel action, commissioners approved the hiring of Joseph Kyle for the newly created position of maintenance supervisor at $24.94 per hour.
Commissioners noted that the job is needed to help carry out additional maintenance work.
In other personnel action, commissioners approved the hiring of Melissa Miller to fill a vacant female correctional officer position at $17.46 per hour.
Metzger noted that the county’s recent approval to purchase golf carts for the White Deer Golf Complex involves a loan agreement with Indigo, the managing company of the course.
The cost for new golf carts is $441,525, a savings of more than $60,000 from the original cost.
“We loan money to Indigo to repay us for the golf carts,” Metzger said. “They will make a payment every year for next eight years at 2 percent interest.”
Existing carts are 20 years old and falling apart, he noted.
Commissioners also approved:
• Hiring Larson Design Group to conduct the small local bridge inspection program at a cost of $288,029.
• An agreement with Scotilla Psychological Services LLC.
• Purchase of gas field pipe materials for the landfill at $21,363.