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Updating the Lycoming County Commissioners on the progress of resolving the staffing issues at the 911 call center, Director of Public Safety Forest Rothchild shared that he is" thoroughly impressed with the caliber of community members that want to become a part of this and what they have brought to the table."
'In light of that, I am very excited to feel confident that we will have new members very shortly," he said.
Speaking at this week's commissioners' meeting, Rothchild said that his office has initiated the interview process with eight out of 18 pending candidates and over the next several weeks they will be continuing the process.
"We do have candidates that we're moving forward with, and we are hoping within the next several weeks to be able to present to the board and the ratification of new employees coming forward," he said.
Rothchild also addressed comments that have been made at the commissioners' meeting over the past months about the staffing at the center.
"Sometimes it might seem like we're taking some lumps from the community, but it's not because they're not being heard. In fact, we do hear it, and we appreciate the value of what they're bringing-the passion that they're trying to bring to light," he said.
"It may not move at the pace that people want things to resolve, but there is a procedure, there is a method to madness" he said.
He encouraged anyone who has concerns or questions about what is going on to meet with him to discuss their concerns.
"It is an open door. I welcome you to come in. I welcome you to ask questions, and if you'd like to know what is going on with the process, I'm always open for a conversation," he said.
In another item related to the Public Safety department, Rothchild asked for approval to an amendment to the agreement with Raymond Shoemaker which is the site of one of the county's towers. Rothchild said that Shoemaker was asking that the fee be increased to $1,000 annually, and will be paid out of grant funds. He also noted that he has seen sites in other areas where the cost was considerably more.
During the meeting, the commissioners approved the Federal Fiscal Year 2026 Community Development and Block Grant (CDBG) project selection and finalization. Larissa Hassinger, Project Coordinator Community Development with the SEDA Council of Government (SEDA-cog) presented the list of projects which includes: Wagner Avenue area lateral upgrade activity, $$43,000; American Rescue Workers' exterior building homeless shelter, $154,000; the park loop rehabilitation, $31,440; and SEDA-cog's administration fees, $46,500 for a total of $274,941.
Other items approved by the commissioners included: an agreement with Cornell Abraxas Group, LLC for various programs for Juvenile Probation to be paid out of operating expenses; and the cover crop agreements between Lycoming County Conservation District and the following landowners: David Albert, Gail Bishop, Hunter Blass, Charles Bosch, Doug Bower, Keith Daly, Allen DiMarco, Colton France, Harley Fry Sr., Lawrence Fry, Thomas Hamm, Nathan Harvey, Todd Hillegas, Gerald Houseknecht, JRT Farms Edwin Kitzmiller II, Jeff Liddic, Lorson Angus Farms, LLC, Lost Brook Farm, Inc., Robert Marquardt, Moser Farms, Michael Paternostro, Harry Rogers, III, Wilhelm Schon, Larue Shaner, Scott Snyder, Adam Sonnen, Matt Stahinecker, Vernon Temple, Charles Ulmer, Christopher Ulmer, Christopher Ulrich, Cody and Lance Walz, Dale Wertz, Jr., Mick Wertz, Raymond Worthington, Darien Young.
The commissioners also approved four county policies pertaining to; the newly created Mailroom Policy;the new Part Time Employee Policy; the updated Probationary Policy; and the updated Nepotism Policy.
Under personnel, the board approved the following internal changes at the rates of pay listed: - Avery Eiswerth, full-time adult probation officer, a union position, $22.46 per hour, a CBU adjustment; Jordan Stugart, full-time administrative specialist in Adult Probation, $17.87 per hour; Shirley Hamm, part-time customer service specialist / floater in Consolidate Services, Part-Time, $16.46 per hour; Brooke Muthler, clerk IV - assessment in Tax Assessment, $17.17 per hour.
It was also announced at the meeting that the county's 2027 Liquid Fuels Grant Program is opening up Monday and running through Sept. 4. Local municipalities can apply for the funds which total $150,000.and can be used for liquid fuels projects. Any questions should be directed to Emily Mrochko at the county's planning department.
The next commissioner's meeting will be at 10 a.m., July 30 at the Commissioners' Board Room, 3rd floor, Third Street Plaza, 33 West Third St.