COAL TOWNSHIP - The Northumberland County Authority voted Monday to transfer a $500,000 insurance check to the county commissioners to cover day-to-day expenses related to the county prison.
The authority, a county entity, owns the prison that was destroyed by fire Jan. 14. Inmates are currently housed in state facilities free of charge. The state gave the county a 28-day grace period before housing costs will be applied. The grace period expires next week.
The initial insurance funds are to be used for housing and management costs, along with expenses related to the vacant prison at 39 N. Second St. or a new facility.
A separate account was established by the county for prison insurance funds, and the authority will vote separately on such transfers each time a check comes from Travelers Insurance, according to authority solicitor Frank Garrigan Jr.
Voting in favor were authority members Edward Griffiths, Joe Pancerella and Gene Welsh. Members Vinny Clausi and Craig Fetterman were unable to attend. Clausi did consult with the members by telephone prior to the hearing.
Clausi is the board of commissioners representative. He was previously authorized by the authority to make day-to-day decisions regarding the lockup, and to handle documents related to insurance claims by the authority.
The commissioners previously announced that the prison is insured for a maximum of $31 million.