Aug 19, 2014 5 min read

• Date: Aug. 18

• Action: The board dissolved the Sports Programs and Activities committee, which was formed several years ago to collect and review the bylaws of all sports and activities booster groups. The task has been completed.

The board approved the hire of Jason Marvin as assistant high school principal at a salary of $82,000. No start date was announced. Also hired unanimously were Pamela Bohn Guenther as Title 1 reading teacher at McMurray Elementary, a newly created position from state funds based on an increase in the number of students eligible for the free-lunch program; Lauren Scabilloni and Morgan McWilliams as special education teachers at Bower Hill Elementary; Nicole Burgard as a 70 percent art teacher at Bower Hill Elementary School; and Marissa Clancy as a half special education teacher at the high school.

The board approved purchase and installation of five American with Disabilities Act compliant emergency telephones in district elevators at a total cost of $4,652 and the purchase of a 2010 refurbished forklift from H&K Equipment for $14,495 with a $500 trade-in.

• Next meeting: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 at the administration building.

• Date: Aug. 14

• Action: As expected, the commissioners approved the purchase of approximately 75 acres of land between Moore and Mounts roads in South Franklin Township to be used for eventual runway expansion at the Washington County Airport at a cost of $588,000. The federal government will foot 90 percent of the bill while the remainder will be split between the state Board of Aviation and the county. In another business related to the airport, the board noted a $30,755 decrease in its contract with East Coast Paving Inc. due to a smaller quantity of materials needed for work on the runway.

The board approved two agreements to provide housing and supportive services to homeless individuals and families through April 15, 2015. Federal taxpayers, through the Department of Housing and Urban Development, approved $158,601 to the county, which has contracted with Try-Again Homes to provide $153,439 worth of services.

A $167,740 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will continue to cover salaries of four employees of the district attorney’s office, but the county commissioners learned that $17,000 previously provided for health insurance for the four was carved out of the grant for the next two years.

At the request of the courts, the commissioners approved the hiring of a sixth criminal conflict attorney at a contracted amount of $25,000. When one defendant is represented by the public defender, that office cannot represent co-defendants. Arrests related to illegal heroin trade has caused an 8 to 10 percent increase in the district attorney’s caseload, and the criminal conflict attorneys are handling more than their anticipated 45 cases. Hiring the additional attorney is expected to bring each individual’s caseload to about 42, said Scott Fergus, Washington County director of administration.

Should a defendant in any criminal case require an interpreter due to deafness while in court, the county renewed a professional services contract with Pittsburgh Hearing and Deaf Services Inc., Pittsburgh, through Sept. 30, 2015. Depending on the level of service provided, the cost will be between $50 and $60 per hour.

At the request of the Washington County Hospital Authority, the commissioners adopted a resolution approving a $25,000 grant to assist Canonsburg Hospital purchase an ambulance. No county funds are required.

At the request of the Children and Youth Services Department, the commissioners authorized a $75,000 contract with LifeSpan Family Services of Pennsylvania to seek a foster home for a child who has medical needs. The county also authorized a $25,000 contract with the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia to provide a foster home.

The commissioners OK’d a five-year storage agreement with PennDOT at the Washington County fairgrounds. In lieu of rent, PennDOT has paved there.

Comcast Business is pulling the plug on free cable television service for the sheriff’s office after Comcast auditors nixed the service. The sheriff’s office, which used this service to monitor events that might require their participation, will now cost the county $24.95 per month.

It was announced that all county offices will be closed Sept. 1 for Labor Day.

• Appointment: John Drake of Charleroi, Washington County Veterans Advisory Council, replacing William Lee for a two-year term.

• Next meeting: 10 a.m. Sept. 4 in the public meeting room of the Courthouse Square office building.

• Date: August 11

• Action: Council voted unanimously to renew a contract with Canon-McMillan School District that authorizes borough police officers to continue providing security at Canonsburg Middle School until 2018.

Council voted 4-2 to appoint Canonsburg police Sgt. Al Coghill as the next police chief to replace Chief R.T. Bell when he retires. John Severine, Rich Russo, Fran Coleman and Joseph McGarry voted for the motion, and Paul Sharkady and Tim Bilsky voted against it. John Bevec was absent.