SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Millers Run passes by James Short Park in Loyalsock Township in mid-June of 2021.
Over $1.2 million were approved by the Lycoming County Commissioners for the Leachate Force Main project at the county’s landfill at Allenwood. The funds, which come out of money that is set aside for the eventual closure of the landfill, will be used to install a six inch force main to pump leachate from the landfill to the West Branch Regional Authority wastewater treatment plant, according to Gary Staggert, deputy director at Lycoming County Resource Management Services (LCRMS).
The current main is over 30 years old and very small with a one to three-inch thick wall, Staggert told the commissioners.
“We’ve had trouble with that line since day one and much higher concerns now,” he said.
The current line is over three miles long. Staggert said the new one would be about half that and because of its size, should be easier to maintain.
Staggert said that they had studied the situation and determined that by installing the new line it will pay for itself in less than four years by cutting down on the amount of leachate being trucked out.
Grant monies to fund stream bank restorations, primarily in the Trout Run area, were also approved by the board at their meeting this week.
The notice of grant and agreement award for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the operation and maintenance plan and agreement with service were both okayed. The $1.6 million grant award will help fund around 14 projects that were impacted by the last weather event in that area of the county.
Other actions taken by the commissioners included approving: five agreements with Monitronics, which provides security and fire alarms for buildings at the county’s landfill and transfer station; a training service agreement with Pennsylvania School of Technology in the amount of $11,000 for a leadership development course for county employees; appointing the Chief Clerk as the County’s Accessibility Coordinator; an agreement with Dinges, Dinges & Waltz, Inc. for legal services; the 2025-2027 Subrecipient Monitoring Agreement with River Valley Transit Authority in the amount of $126,000; the Amendment to the Agreement with STEP Inc. for their PHARE (Pennsylvania Housing Affordability Enhancement) lease program; the maintenance on county network devices with Eplus in the amount of $44, 013; the renewal for forensic software with Magnet Forensics in the amount $12,410; the ratification of the RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) amendment to extend the termination date to January 31, 2026; ratification of the Indigent Defense Grant Program Modification request; and an agreement with R & J Ertel in the amount of $11,000 for a project which will separate the water lines at the County Farm.
Under personnel, the commissioners approved hiring the following persons for the positions and rates of pay listed: Jennifer Cartagena, full-time administrative case officer in Adult Probation, $19.66 per hour; Robert Harvey, full-time resident supervisor at the Pre-Release Center, a union position, $19.20 per hour; and Adam Ganim, full-time correctional officer at the Prison, a union position, $20 per hour.
Commissioners Scott Metzger, Marc Sortman and Mark Mussina, along with Nicki Gotschall, acting as the Salary Board, approved the following actions in the Planning and Community Development Department: delete transportation supervisor, PG 9 (Pay Grade) 12; delete community development/Leave Planner, PG 12; add transportation planner, PG 9; and add community and economic development planner, PG 9.
The next commissioners’ meeting will be at 10 a.m., May 8 in the Commissioners’ Board Room, 3rd floor, Third Street Plaza, 33 West Third St.
