Lycoming County commissioners on Tuesday gave the go ahead to erect a flood wall to protect the new quarters for a district judge’s office.

The contentious issue, which will come at a cost of $189,500, was finally resolved after commissioners met with Federal Emergency Management and Pennsylvania Emergency Management officials Monday to further consider the matter.

Commissioners approved hiring Turnkey Construction, Inc. for the work, after tabling that action at last week’s meeting.

At that time, they discussed whether going ahead with wall construction would discourage future development in Old Lycoming Township.

Prior to approving Turnkey for the work, Mussare said he understood the need for the wall after talking with FEMA and PEMA officials,

But he also noted the cost of the wall and the many other county projects that burden taxpayers.

John Shireman, of Jersey Shore, told commissioners it would set a bad precedent to relocate the district judge’s office without constructing the flood wall.

“If you complete the project without the wall, you are telling Old Lycoming Township, ‘we are paying attention only to regulations we want,'” he said.

Commissioner Scott Metzger said the decision to table the matter last week was not about going against regulations, but rather, to consider the best options for the project.

He noted the new site for District Judge William Solomon’s office at 2107 Lycoming Creek Road experienced just one flood — in 1996 when six inches of water infiltrated the property.

Commissioner Rick Mirabito said county officials were limited as to where they could relocate the district judge’s office.

“We must have looked at 15 buildings and sites,” he said. “We had certain limitations. We couldn’t just go anywhere in the county.”

Metzger said the project will still be done under budget.

The new office is expected to open in July.

In other action, commissioners approved a $574,200 agreement with the Montgomery Water Authority for infrastructure work to support a water line extension to the Timber Run Industrial Park property along Route 15 in Clinton Township.

Digger Specialties, is locating a manufacturing facility at the site with the expectation of bringing 150 jobs.

The company is scheduled to open the facility in the early part of 2022.

Commissioners approved a monitoring agreement with Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity for construction of a single-family home on Diamond Street in Williamsport.

They also approved a monitoring agreement with YWCA Northcentral Pennsylvania in support of the Liberty House, a shelter for domestic violence victims.

Both agreements are being funded through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund Program (PHARE).

In other matters, commissioners approved:

• The hiring of Matthew Tierney as a general accountant in the controller’s office at $42,601 per year.

• The purchase of flags for the Veteran’s Affairs office at a cost of $11,138.

• The purchase of a 2021 Caterpillar D4 Dozer for $175,271 for use at the landfill. The purchase through the state COSTARS program, a cooperative purchasing option, includes the trade-in of equipment.

• The purchase of a mower attachment for $27,349 for landfill use.