CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Clarion County Commissioners Ted Tharan, Wayne Brosius, and Ed Heasley once again signed a preferred training partnership agreement with Butler County Community College (BC3) Fire/Hazmat Training Programs at the group’s Tuesday morning meeting.
(Clarion County Commissioners pictured above left to right: Heasley, Tharan, and Brosius.)
“The training and certification are paid for by two grants, with $1,500.00 from local fire companies and $1,000.00 from the Office of Emergency Services (OES),” said Tharan. “It covers the cost for an entire year.”
Heasley noted that the volunteers are required to have so many hours of training and the instruction doesn’t cost the individual firemen anything.
BC3, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and Pennsylvania Department of Health, has a reputation for delivering quality education and training programs to Western Pennsylvania Fire Fighters, EMS, HazMat, and Police Professionals. The staff also interacts with the emergency responders in not only providing training but planning it as well.
The Public Safety Program at BC3 is unique in its educational offerings to local volunteer and paid Fire/EMS organizations and agencies. Training is provided at local agency locations, county/regional fire schools, off-site fixed facilities, and BC3’s Public Safety Training Facility (PSTF).
Commissioners also unanimously approved hiring the law firm of Cafardi Ferguson Wyrick Weis and Stotler LLC to provide legal services starting December 1. The firm was selected because Christopher Gabriel, the county’s labor law attorney, joined the law firm.
A determination of the minimum assessed value to generate a tax bill was once again tabled to provide more time for the confirmation of related information to determine the amount and legal review.
New appointments were made to the Hotel Tax Committee and included Matt Kaye, a cabin owner from the Cook Forest area, and Jim Callahan, the Clarion Park Inn manager.
Treasurer Tom McConnell clarified a contingency reserve transfer of $3,118.00 to pay for postcards to dog owners.
“We send cards to all dog owners to remind them of the need to obtain a new license,” said McConnell “Last year the state paid the vendor directly for printing and sending them out, but this year they don’t have the money right now and have to wait until January. They’re going to repay us for the full amount.”
Carol Clinger was named interim chief clerk, effective December 4, at an annual salary of $33,5637.64. Clinger previously served as chief clerk for years and will replace Heather Slater who is leaving her position.
A work session is planned for December 5.
The next board meeting is slated for December 12 at 9:00 a.m. in the large conference room in the county’s Main Street administrative meeting.
