On April 23, 2015, the Bradford County Commissioners held their regular monthly meeting at the Troy Sale Barn. The venue was chosen to highlight the preservation of the structure and the improvements made to it; and also to bring the Commissioners to western Bradford County. On May 14 the Commissioners will hold their meeting at the Bradford County Manor in West Burlington.
An Open House for the Sale Barn was held in conjunction with the Commissioners' meeting. There was an audience of about seventy people.
County Commissioners Doug McLinko, Daryl Miller and Edward Bustin all were present, along with Clerk Michelle Shedden.
The meeting opened with a performance of the National Anthem by members of the Troy High School Chamber Choir, directed by Sydney Blade.
Veterans were asked to stand and the audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by former County Commissioner Bill McNett.
"We are thankful for this turnout," Mr. McLinko said. "We have been trying to get the Commissioners to meet in Western Bradford County. It's a great day here. It was an outstanding and spirited rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner." He acknowledged elected officials present, including Country Auditor Matt Allen and Coroner Tom Carman, and former Judge Jeffrey Smith, former Commissioner Nancy Schrader, and former Auditor Susan Storch.
It was a cold day, and it was very chilly inside the Sale Barn.
The Commissioners then dealt with their agenda.
They approved a Proclamation recognizing May 2015 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Bradford County. Mollie Elliott gave an introduction in the Munsee-Delaware language and then read the Proclamation in English.
Former Commissioner Nancy Schrader read a proclamation recognizing May 7 as National Day of Prayer in Bradford County.
The Commissioners approved an agreement with S L Smith Company for Spring 2015 window cleaning at the Courthouse at a cost of $1,500 for labor and material.
An agreement was approved between the County Manor and Medical Claims Recovery & Denial Solutions, LLC for medical billing recovery of older and/or denied claims.
Also approved was the Unit of Service Funding Contract between Bradford County Human Service Agency and Pediatric Services of America through June 30,2015.
An agreement was approved between Human Services/Children & Youth Services and Avanco International.
These amendment agreements were approved for Bradford /Sullivan Drug & Alcohol through June 30,2105:
• Harbor Counseling;
• Mental Health Associates;
• Crossroads Counseling;
• A Better Today.
The Commissioners approved hiring Juanita A. Earle (part-time) and Mickey Koshnick (full-time) as casual Administrative Clerks I, as recommended by Prothonotary Sally Vaughn.
The Commissioners also approved the transfer of Jane Bowker from full time Administrative Clerk I to full time Administrative Clerk II, as per the recommendation of Sally Vaughn.
The hiring of Sarah A. Donovan as part time casual Housekeeping Attendant as per the recommendation of Jim Shadduck, Manor Administrator, was approved, effective April 25.
The hiring of Jasmine VanNoy as part-time casual Valet as per the recommendation of Jim Shadduck, Manor Administrator, was approved, effective May 13.
Marissa Sarnosky was hired in response to a Court Order from the Court of Common Pleas as full time Administrative Clerk II in the office of Probation.
The May 14, Commissioners Meeting will be held at the Bradford County Manor at 10 am.
The Salary Board approved the following new business:
Created three Children & Youth Services Caseworker II positions and one Children & Youth Services Caseworker Supervisor position. These positions are In response to new regulations from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which have increased the work load. The state will cover 80% to 90% of the cost, with the county taxpayers covering about 10% of the cost.
The Salary Board set the following salaries:
Juanita Earle, part time Casual Administrative Clerk I. $9.69 per hour;
Mickey Koshnick, full time Casual Administrative Clerk I. $9.69 per hour;
Jane Bowker, full time Administrative Clerk II. $10.98 per hour;
Sarah A. Donovan, part time casual Housekeeping Attendant, $9.56 per hour;
Jasmine M. VanNoy, part time casual Valet, $7.85 per hour;
Marissa Sarnosky, full time Administrative Clerk II, $10.69 per hour.
The Election Board authorized the Director of Elections to appoint Poll Workers as needed at county polling locations that have vacancies to serve on the Election Board for the 2015 Primary, May 19, 2015.
The Election Board also authorized the Chief Clerk to legally advertise the polling locations for the voting districts in Bradford County.
The Chief Clerk was authorized to advertise that the Board of Elections will conduct pre-election testing of the electronic tabulating equipment to ascertain the accuracy of the central count equipment for the primary election. The pre-election testing will take place in the Election Office at the Courthouse Annex on May 15 at 11:30 am.
These people were appointed as election night workers:
Bureau of Elections - Renee Smithkors, Tracey Ferguson, Jesie McDermott
Rovers - Jim Mechling, Rod Manley, Bryan Putnam, Michelle Shedden, Nancy Machling, Jenny Sackett, Jessie McDermott
Receiving Board - Tracey Ferguson, Michelle Shedden, Jessie McDermott
GEMS Server and TSX Operators - Renee Smithkors, Jim Mechling, Rod Manley, Bryan Putnam
Absentee Ballots - Nancy Mechling, Jessie McDermott
WEB/Projectors - Wendy Rockwell, Teresa Thomas
These people were appointed to serve on the Canvass Board - Renee Smithkors, Tracey Ferguson, Jessie McNermott.
The Chief Clerk also was authorized to advertise that the Bradford County Return Board will meet in the office of the Election Department at the courthouse on May 22, 2015 at 9 am for the purpose of computing and canvassing returns for the municipal primary election.
Mr. McLinko thanked Bill McNett as "an outstanding mentor" for the Election Board, on which he serves because the Commissioners all are on the ballot this year. Mr. McLinko said that Mr. McNett's presentations still are used in training videos by the state.
Henry Farley, speaking on behalf of the new Tourism and Promotion Board, said that thirteen applications have been received for the position of Executive Director. "It's a huge job to promote tourism," he said. Meetings have been held with the Route 6 Alliance.
DCI has been hired to asses the strengths and weaknesses of the county in preparation for the hiring of the executive director.
Mr. McLinko said the new county board has eleven members, including all five Chambers of Commerce in the County.
After the meeting was adjourned, the Commissioners introduced Bill Bower and Bill Brasington of the Troy Sale Barn Board. Mr. McLinko said, "This is a pretty special day. We are proud of our agricultural heritage, and one way we can give back to agriculture is to support the Troy Sale Barn. He observed, "Route 6 is set up for driving laps to encompass all the county has to offer."
Mr. Miller thanked Mr. Bower and Brasington for arranging this visit to the sale barn. "We understand the importance of agriculture and understand its significance and the importance of retaining our history in a facility like this."
Mr. Bustin said, "I spoke to Bill Bower about my memories of the Athens sale barn and of the one in Wyalusing. They weren't able to be saved, but here they were able to, thanks to this great community. This will be one of the anchors for our county. It will represent not only Troy but the county itself."
The Commissioners noted that Talisman provided support for the Troy Sale Barn, and the Commissioner decided to use Act 13 Impact Fee funds to match it with a a $60,000 gift to the Sale Barn. The audience reacted with a round of applause. Mr. Bower laughing said, "If you bring a check for $60,000 each time, you can come here any time you want!" He said, "People of Bradford County are used to the cold, but when you come back here next year, there will be heat in the floor."
He also said that a grant has been received from DCNR for $8,000 to replace windows. This must be matched from local sources.
Among the changes in the building - the pens and the catwalk have been removed, opening the floor so community events can be held, including square dances, a farmers' market, a repeat of the "Taste of the Endless Mountains" event with local producers displaying their wares.
A grant has been awarded for archery equipment, as the sale barn is large enough to be used as an official range. "This will give us something for the kids to do," he said.
"We have saved this building - we wish Troy could have saved other buildings, but Troy has opened their pocketbooks and have saved the sale barn. The people really came forward and let us know they wanted the sale barn saved," Mr. Bower said.
Mr. Brasington said that enough has been raised to pay for "Phase i" renovations. "We look good because of the people behind us. Everyone has been very supportive. Troy Borough Manager and Council have been with us every step of the way… the temperature in here was 11˚ some days, but we were in here working - we didn't miss a day. When it was so cold, a heater showed up - Someone is watching out for us and sees what needs to be provided." He continued, "We are having fun in what we are doing. We are doing for the kids - preserving our past and working for memories for our future."
He noted that the Sale Barn was within walking distance of all three schools in Troy. "Those second graders are your future," he said. "And we need high school kids to stay here and work."
He noted that folks from "Canada, Boston and Philadelphia came to the sale barn to buy cattle, and bring their money here." He praised the Commissioners for creating the tourism board and for their gift to the Sale Barn. " It was important [for them] to make this statement to recognize what a great county we have. It's the future we are working for."
Mr. Bower said, "We appreciate everyone who came here today."
The group then enjoyed hotdogs and hamburgers grilled by Bill and Chuck Bastion and served by Mary Alice Bower and Nicole Harris.