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County aims to keep Hiawatha afloat

By Mike Reuther 2 min read
SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

A popular tourist paddlewheeler should be able to get out of drydock thanks to a funding stream from Lycoming County.

Commissioners at their weekly meeting approved $100,000 for the Hiawatha to make journeys this season down the Susquehanna River.

The funding will assist with operations and budget shortfalls experienced by Hiawatha Inc. due to COVID-19, according to commissioners.

"We were faced with it being out of operation this season," Commissioner Rick Mirabito said.

Commissioners noted yearly Hiawatha costs amount to $50,000, including for insurance, even if it doesn't operate.

The county funding is expected to be a one-time allocation.

In other matters, commissioners approved a grant application to the state Department of Environmental Protection for $37,450 for the county recycling coordinator program.

Commissioners approved the purchase of three generators from Hunter & Lomison Inc. at a cost of $57,288 for three communications tower locations.

In a related matter, commissioners approved a $17,288 charge order with PennCore Consulting for tower site modifications at the request of the landowner.

Commissioners approved the following personnel to fill vacant positions:

• Shawn T. Smith, maintenance employee, $20.01 per hour.

• Ashleigh L. Davis, resident supervisor, Pre-Release Center, $15.37 per hour.

• Kelsey E. Green, hazard reduction planner, Planning & Community Development, $38,933 per year.

• Dylan Smith, paralegal, Public Defender's Office, $16.76 per hour.

• Elisabeth Frankel, juvenile victim witness coordinator, District Attorney's Office, $22.60 per hour.

• Abigail Inns, adult victim witness coordinator, District Attorney's Office, $23.20 per hour.

• Chad J. McElwee, correctional relief officer, Prison, $17.46 per hour.

• Kenneth Bowers, part-time special detective, $18.34 per hour.

Also at the meeting commissioners approved:

• An agreement with Glenn O. Hawbaker for the golf cart shed pilling project at the White Deer Golf Course.

• A $11,571 agreement with Monitronics International, Inc. for a fire and burglar system.

• An amendment to extend an agreement with Edward J. Rymsza for legal representation at a cost of $90,000.

• Purchase of a portable radiation detection identifier from Laurus Systems, Inc. for the landfill at $37,451.

Starting at /week.