County hires planning director

SUNBURY - For the third time in about two years, Northumberland County has a new planning director.

Pat Mack, 28, of Sunnyside, was unanimously hired Tuesday afternoon by Northumberland County Commissioners Kurt Masser, Frank Sawicki and Vinny Clausi as planning director at a salary of approximately $38,000.

Mack, who will begin his duties Monday, is vice president in charge of production and new development for Shamokin Filler Co. Inc., Coal Township, where he has been employed since 2003. He is a 2003 graduate of Bloomsburg University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in business, and a 1999 graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School.

Mack replaces Marian Kozak, who resigned Jan. 12 to take a position with Geisinger Medical Center. Kozak was hired Jan. 7, 2009, to replace Steve Bartos, who was fired for insubordination in January 2009 after a year on the job.

When contacted Tuesday, Mack said he was excited and anxious to begin working for the county. "It's sort of bittersweet for me because I enjoyed working at Shamokin Filler since graduating from college. It's a great company and family to work for."

Don Rosini, president of Shamokin Filler, said his company was sad to lose Mack, but wished him the best of luck with his new position.

Other business

During a salary board meeting that preceded the commissioners' session, Sawicki, Clausi, Masser and Controller Charles "Chuck" Erdman agreed to increase the salary of Human, Senior and Social Services Staff Development Coordinator Noel Jones from $31,858 to $36,595 due to a workload increase he will assume by becoming the new treatment court coordinator.

Northumberland County Court Administrator Brandy Yasenchak resigned last month as treatment court coordinator for personal reasons. Yasenchak held the post for nearly two years. The position increased her pay by $19,495 per year.

The money that pays for the treatment court coordinator position comes from a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency grant.

Northumberland County Chief Adult Probation Officer John Wondoloski and Chief Clerk Kymberley Best said the increase in Jones' salary won't affect the conditions of the grant. Wondoloski said Jones is already performing similar duties associated with the treatment court coordinator post.

In a separate motion, the board voted 3-1 to eliminate the position of treatment court coordinator. Sawicki voted "no" because Northumberland County President Judge Robert B. Sacavage, who was presiding at a court case, was not at the meeting. Wondoloski was directed to call Sacavage. A few minutes later, Wondoloski returned and told the board Sacavage did not object to eliminating the position, but noted Wondoloski couldn't vote for him on the issue.

During a brief board of elections meeting, Sawicki reminded political candidates that the first day to circulate and file nominating petitions is Tuesday, Feb. 16.

At the commissioners' meeting, Lance Adams of Dalmatia, Debra Dimm of Watsontown, Justin Dunkelberger of Northumberland, Ernest Gromlich of Milton, Marshall Hummel of Trevorton, Ronald Kemberling of Sunbury and Joseph Klebon of Paxinos were reappointed to the county Recreation Commission for three-year terms.

The commissioners approved an agreement with Attorney Benjamin J. Apfelbaum to serve as a substitute Mental Health/Mental Retardation review officer at a cost not to exceed $6,500, which will be paid through Mental Health/Mental Retardation funding.

The board also entered into a contracted service agreement with Attorney Tony Matulewicz III to advise and conduct any litigation in connection with the county sheriff's office when requested by Sheriff Chad Reiner, and also be responsible for completing all execution sales submitted to him by the sheriff.

Due to a potential conflict of interest in dealing with execution sales, Matulewicz agreed to resign as solicitor for the sheriff's department, which paid him $5,200 per year.

Best said the Pennsylvania Ethics Board recommended that the board change to a contracted service agreement with Matulewicz to avoid any conflict of interest. She said Matulewicz will receive payment for his services through proceeds generated from tax sales.

The commissioners expanded its agreements with M&T Bank to provide electronic banking services, including direct deposit and transfers, and Payee Positive Pay for fraud protection to be utilized for county payroll systems.

The board approved an agreement with Forge Public Safety Solutions to provide an updated Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD).