SUNBURY - Northumberland County commissioners authorized the tax claims bureau Tuesday to conduct a private sale for five current or former blighted properties in Shamokin and Mount Carmel, pending the approval of all taxing bodies.
The properties include 307 S. Market St., Mount Carmel; and 320-322 E. Independence St., 1021 E. Webster St., 232 S. Diamond St. and 234 S. Diamond St., all in Shamokin.
Jan Nestico, tax claims bureau director, said the Mount Carmel structure is a blighted house, while the parcels in Shamokin are former blighted properties that have been demolished.
She said the school districts and municipalities where the properties are located must approve the sales before they can be held. She anticipated the private sales to be conducted in late August or early September.
Computer, phone deals
Commissioners Frank Sawicki, Vinny Clausi and Merle Phillips adopted a resolution that approves an agreement between the county and Service Electric Communications LLC for the construction, leasing and maintenance of a wide area network that will connect certain county locations.
The resolution was passed in connection with the purchase and installation of a new countywide telephone system approved last month by the commissioners.
Clausi, who commended county budget director Jeff McClintock for his efforts in helping secure the new telephone system, said the county will save approximately $200,000 over a five-year period with the new system, which will replace the current services provided by various companies.
Through a lease purchase agreement with M&T Bank for the new voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) system, the county will pay approximately $50,000 a year in loans for five years, but realize a savings in general operating costs of approximately $40,000 after the first year and approximately $200,000 over the five-year loan period.
After the loan is paid off, the county will save approximately $90,000 per year for the new phone system, Clausi and McClintock said.
McClintock previously said the county will purchase the Avaya phone system from Ironton in Coplay and pay Service Electric to install the system.
5 vehicles purchased
The commissioners authorized the purchase of a 2012 Kia Sorento for the mental health/mental retardation department, a 2012 Ford Fusion for the drug and alcohol department, a 2011 Ford Taurus for juvenile court services, a 2011 Ford Explorer for children and youth services and a 2011 Dodge Charger for a sheriff's department (lease purchase agreement).
The board adopted a resolution changing the name of the Northumberland County Mental Health/Mental Retardation and Drug and Alcohol programs to Northumberland County Behavorial Health and Intellectual/Development Services in accordance with changes at the state level and a new federal law.
The commissioners presented a proclamation to registered nurses Deb Forsythe and Loreen Comstock of the Nurse-Family Partnership in commemoration of the agency's 10-year anniversary in providing dedicated, caring and valuable services to pregnant women, newborn children and their families.
Nurse-Family Partnership is based in Berwick and provides services to clients in multiple counties, including Northumberland.
Steffen praised
At the end of the commissioners' meeting, Clausi praised the efforts of chief clerk Gary Steffen since he took office four months ago.
"Mr. Steffen has done an outstanding job in the position," Clausi said. "The county is moving forward and all three commissioners are getting along and going in the right direction."
Phillips also commended Steffen for his professionalism and dedication.
Steffen, who had been in charge of the county workers' compensation department for 2 1/2 years and previously served as county public safety director for 1 1/2 years after a 28-year career as Point Township police chief, was appointed chief clerk in March to replace attorney Kymberley Best, who was fired amid controversy.
During the election board meeting that preceded the commissioners' session, Robert Miller, of Sunbury, informed board members that a new polling station in the eighth ward of the city will need to be created due to the closing of Sunbury Middle School on Fairmount Avenue.
President Judge Robert B. Sacavage, who serves as chairman of the election board, reminded residents that Aug. 1 is the last day to circulate and file nomination papers, while Aug. 8 is the final day for candidates who have filed nominations to withdraw. He also announced that Aug. 15 is the last day for candidates nominated in the primary election to withdraw.