SUNBURY - Northumberland County Salary Board unanimously eliminated three positions Monday, including the county detective, while reinstating a secretary's position in the district attorney's office it eliminated two weeks ago.
The board also agreed to eliminate a mapper position in the engineer's office and a record clerk I post in the tax assessment office.
All the moves became effective Monday.
District Attorney Tony Rosini and the four permanent salary board members reached an agreement last week to eliminate
the detective's position held by Andrew Orzehowski in exchange for reinstating a secretary.
Orzehowski, a retired state policeman, had served as county detective since Sept. 13, 2010. His salary was $33,345.
Rosini previously said eliminating the detective's position will save the county approximately $38,000, which is about the same amount of money the county would save by cutting a secretary position.
Both motions were approved by Rosini, commissioners Stephen Bridy, Richard Shoch and Vinny Clausi, and Controller Tony Phillips.
Rosini thanked the commissioners and Phillips for agreeing to maintain the secretary's post. "This was the lesser of two evils, but I knew our office couldn't function without that secretary's position," Rosini said.
The district attorney said he understands the financial constraints the commissioners are facing after being told by Clausi not to expect the detective's position to be reinstated in the future.
Shoch added, "I think it was a good compromise and I appreciate Mr. Rosini working with us."
Other cuts
The position of mapper held by Bonnie Avellino was eliminated on a 4-0 vote. Avellino, who was employed by the county since March 19, 2001, earned a salary of $22,799.
The four permanent salary board members also unanimously eliminated the position of record clerk I Ann Marie Stoud, who has worked for the county since Sept. 23, 1996. Stoud earned a salary of $22,171 and worked in the tax assessment office for the past 3 1/2 years.
County tax assessment director Al Bressi wasn't thrilled about losing an employee, but told salary board members, "My staff will do what they have to do to overcome the loss. This is the second position my office has lost in 3 1/2 years. It will be difficult and require employees to take on additional duties."
Bressi, who noted the salary board eliminated the position of deeds clerk Melissa Carl in 2009, said his office now employs six full-time workers, including himself, and one part-time employee.
With the elimination of two positions in his office during the past 3 1/2 years, Bressi said the county will save approximately $80,000 in salaries and benefits.