City hires clerks

SHAMOKIN - City council hired a trio of clerks and as well as an engineer for certain projects during a special meeting Wednesday.

It also set aside a decision on a renovation contract on behalf of Shamokin Redevelopment Authority for upgrades to vacant office space at Mill Road Square.

Michelle Quinn and Kelly Seroski were each hired as full-time employees to serve city hall and the code enforcement office.

They'll work 35 hours a week and be paid $9.15 an hour. Both will also receive health benefits, which cost either $732 for an individual or $1,800 for the family option.

The positions were included in council's 2012 spending plan.

Jill Bright was hired as a clerk at the city's police department, a part-time position that also has an hourly rate of $9.15 but does not include health benefits.

All three hires were accepted on a 4-0 vote, with councilmen William Milbrand, R. Craig Rhoades, Michael Snyder and William Strausser in favor. Mayor George Rozinskie was unable to attend.

Bright replaces Sue Witmer, whose resignation was accepted Wednesday night. The reason given for the resignation was "personal." Police chief Ed Griffiths declined comment.

Council held a 40-minute executive session at the outset of Wednesday's meeting to discuss personnel issues, of which Griffiths was present for about 10 minutes.

Engineer

John Bucanelli of RETTEW Associates Inc., Schuylkill Haven office, was hired 4-0 to perform engineering work on several projects, including specifications for repair of the Shamokin Creek bed, review of railroad crossings upgrades and ongoing sewer work in the city.

Bucanelli will be paid $2,400 for his services through Jan. 31, 2013.

Steve Bartos, city clerk, pushed for the hire, explaining to board members on several occasions the value of having a professional engineer review complicated, expensive projects.

The city is preparing a documents for Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding $1.2 million in emergency repairs to the creek channel stemming from last September's flooding.

There is also a plan by SEDA-COG to improve crossings on Independence Street in downtown Shamokin as part of its upgrade of the Shamokin Valley Railroad. Council is asked to approve the plans by Feb. 13 and without a professional review, would be left with little input or oversight over the rail authority's intentions, Bartos said.

If council were not to review the project plans, they would essentially be rubber-stamped and sent to the state Public Utility Commission for final approval.

Bucanelli is a member of the Mount Carmel Township Planning Commission and Mount Carmel Municipal Authority, and has previously worked on engineering matters regarding the SEEDCO Industrial Park in Coal Township.

Renovations

Council members tabled a request by the Redevelopment Authority to approve a contract valued at more than $63,000 with Moore Renovation for work inside office space inside Mill Road Square.

The renovations are to be made to accommodate Phoenix Rehabilitation's expansion as part of a new lease agreement reached last year.

Rhoades raised concerns with the specifications of the contract drawn up by the Redevelopment Authority. James Moore, the contractor who submitted the low bid on the project, was at Wednesday's meeting and agreed with Rhoades when the councilman called the specifications a "disgrace."

Approval of the contract by city council is needed before Susquehanna Bank releases money for a authority loan to complete the work.

Rhoades and Milbrand each said they were concerned over the matter and any potential effect it could have on Phoenix's plans for expansion.

City council guaranteed the loan on the authority's behalf as part of the lease agreement.

Under the terms of the 10-year agreement, five of which are guaranteed, Phoenix will occupy 1,900 square feet and pay the authority $1,000 a month.

The monthly rate will increase 3 percent annually.

In other business, council also voted to:

- Accept a citizen petition from more than 20 neighbors of 12 N. Marshall St., where conditions are considered by the petitioners as deplorable;

- Hire Pacocha Contracting to clean city hall biweekly at $300 a month;

- Lease a copier from CSP Office Equipment, Shamokin, for city hall at $111 a month for 60 months, which is half what they paid another firm for copying equipment under a previous lease agreement.

A regularly scheduled workshop session followed the special meeting, at which council discussed agenda items to be addressed during its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 13.