SUNBURY - Shortly after three positions, including two involved in law enforcement offices, were cut by the county salary board Tuesday, Northumberland County Commissioners Vinny Clausi, Richard Shoch and Stephen Bridy agreed not to utilize state constables any longer to transport inmates to and from arraignments and hearings. They also revealed plans to reduce staffing at the county's four magisterial district judge offices.
The commissioners said they can save the county approximately $120,000 per year with the constable changes. The commissioners said the constables would still serve arrest warrants and perform other duties.
Once the change goes into effect, municipal police or state police will be responsible for transporting prisoners to their arraignments and hearings, and they will bear that cost.
The commissioners claimed using constables for transport has proven too costly in recent years. Clausi said three particular constables, Larry Rompallo, Glenn Masser and Howard "Butch" Showers, handle the majority of the transports.
Constables will be given a 60-day notice about the change.
Rompallo said state constables are paid on average $45.40 plus mileage to transport prisoners. He said they receive a state rate holding fee of $13 per hour after holding a prisoner for 30 minutes. He said the county pays the constables for their services and then must seek reimbursement from the defendants through their fines and costs.
As for the commissioners' decision, Rompallo said, "I just have to live with whatever decision they make."
Masser reserved comment about the change.
The commissioners also said they are considering cutting one secretary in each of the four magisterial district judge offices from full time to part time. Currently, each of the judges have three full-time secretaries.
Clausi said the change will save the county approximately $120,000 per year.
Magisterial District Judges John Gembic III of Shamokin and Hugh Jones of Mount Carmel declined comment about the proposal.
The commissioner said law requires the judges to have one secretary for every 1,500 cases they handle. He said each of the four magisterial district judges average between 3,200 and 3,600 cases per year.
In other business
The commissioners approved a motion by Bridy to prohibit the borrowing of money from restricted accounts to pay general fund bills. Controller Tony Phillips said that has occurred under past administrations. Although he didn't say the practice is illegal, Phillips believes it's not acceptable.
The commissioners agreed to rename the nutrition services greenhouse at Northumberland County Career and Technology Center in Coal Township the Patricia C. Rosini Greenhouse in memory of Rosini's dedication to the project. Rosini, who served as a longtime deputy administrator with the county Area Agency on Aging, was killed in a traffic accident Feb. 8 in Florida.
The board also approved a recommendation by Bridy to provide a live video feed through the Internet of future commissioner meetings. Bridy said the county's Internet technology staff can provide the service at no cost.
Resolutions were passed that allow the commissioners, election board and salary board members to participate in meetings via telephone if they are on vacation or cannot attend for other reasons.