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H.S. Field Hockey: Wyoming Seminary defeats Greenwood, advance to title game

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Palmyra holds off Valley West field hockey in Class 2A state semifinals

<p>Luzerne County&#8217;s administration has asked council to hire a consultant for $380,357 to oversee the first stage of a proposed $20 million 911 emergency radio system upgrade, although the funding to pay for this outside assistance has not yet been fully identified.</p><p>Approximately $114,000 in 911 and capital funding is available for the consultant, leaving a balance of $266,357 that must be earmarked, county 911 Executive Director Fred Rosencrans told council during a work session Tuesday. Pennsylvania-based MCM Consulting Group, the lone company to submit a consulting proposal, has agreed to wait until the end of 2019 to receive the portion of the payment still requiring funding, he said.</p><p>MCM would help design and oversee the project until the county selects a radio system vendor, including assistance seeking grants that could reduce the county&#8217;s expense.</p><p>The switch from a 20-year-old analog system to a digital one is necessary because equipment support for the radio transmitters and receivers that allow emergency responders to exchange messages will end Dec. 31, 2020, officials have said. The system won&#8217;t automatically shut down on that date, but replacement parts have become increasingly difficult to find because they are no longer manufactured.</p><p>Councilwoman Linda McClosky Houck pointed out the consultant would only handle planning &#8212; not oversight of the actual project &#8212; and questioned why that work is not being handled in-house.</p><p>Rosencrans said planning and design for this type of large-scale project is typically outsourced by government entities because it requires significant time and technical expertise.</p><p>Councilman Stephen A. Urban asked if a request for the additional funding was included in 911&#8217;s proposed 2019 budget.</p><p>County Manager C. David Pedri said it was, but he removed it because it is a capital expense.</p><p>Council must decide if it wants to provide the funding in the general fund operating budget or capital budget, he said.</p><p>The county has $864,246 left in the capital fund from past borrowing to cover future projects.</p><p>Even if the capital fund is replenished with money left in a 2018 budget contingency, additional borrowing has been mentioned as a possibility next year to pay for the radio upgrade and new voting machines with a paper trail.</p><p>MCM previously worked for the county, performing a 911 radio system needs assessment and strategic plan report in 2016.</p><p>McClosky Houck asked why only one company submitted a proposal for the new project work.</p><p>Rosencrans said several other companies inquired, but he believes they had concerns about meeting tight project deadlines without past experience in this county.</p><p>Council may vote on the consultant contract in two weeks.</p><p>During Tuesday&#8217;s voting meeting, council:</p><p>&#8226; Approved an investment plan to generate revenue on county funds that are not immediately needed for expenses.</p><p>&#8226; Authorized the manager to seek a $421,281 state multimodal transportation grant that would fund sidewalks, curbing and bus shelters along county-owned roads at the Hanover Industrial Estates to address an increased demand for public transportation at the growing park.</p><p>However, council agreed with Urban&#8217;s argument that the county&#8217;s limited liquid fuels funding is needed for deteriorating roads and bridges and should not be used to pay the 30 percent local match of $126,414 if the grant is awarded. Instead, Pedri agreed to explore other options, such as seeking funding from the county Transportation Authority and/or Hanover Township.</p><p>&#8226; Allocated the county&#8217;s remaining $44,000 in Act 13 natural-gas recreation funding as suggested by Councilman Harry Haas &#8212; $5,000 for low-maintenance landscaping at the county-owed River Common, $14,000 to establish a fund to help municipalities with gypsy moth spraying/pest control and $25,000 to provide recreation project grants to municipalities and other outside entities.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Rosencrans </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_rosencrans.jpeg</photo0><caption0>Rosencrans </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jennifer Learn-Andes</p><p>jandes@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jennifer Learn-Andes at 570-991-6388 or on Twitter @TLJenLearnAndes.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Consultant eyed for proposed Luzerne County 911 radio upgrade