A long-stalled project to replace a LaPlume Twp. bridge that closed more than 25 years ago took a step forward Wednesday.
The Lackawanna County commissioners introduced an ordinance to use eminent domain to acquire three small parcels needed for reconstruction of the county-owned bridge that carries North Overbrook Road, also known as township Route 470, over the south branch of Tunkhannock Creek. The steel truss bridge there closed in May 1988.
County solicitor Don Frederickson said settlements have been reached with owners of five properties for which the county needs ownership or easements.
The problem with the final three parcels is their ownership could not be determined despite a "diligent search" by the county and the state Department of Transportation, he said. The county may actually already own two of the parcels, he said.
"We decided the best way to handle this is to just condemn the properties and take them, and if any owners come forward, we can deal with them," Mr. Frederickson told the commissioners.
The project, for which the county will be reimbursed by the state, has languished since the commissioners approved a reimbursement agreement for the bridge design in 2005. County engineer Gary Cavill said the majority of the delay was related to right of way acquisition.
The commissioners also:
- Awarded a five-year contract to New World Systems Corp., which provides the county's financial accounting and human resources systems, for software maintenance. The Troy, Mich., company will be paid $142,210 in 2013, with the amount increasing 7 percent each year until it reaches $186,400 in 2017.
- Entered into a five-year agreement with NEP Cellcorp Inc., Forest City, to sublease space on a tower on Maile Road for the county's wireless network for $1,000 monthly.
- Approved a one-year contract extension with Verizon Business Network Services Inc., Charleston, W.Va., to maintain equipment at the 911 center in Jessup. The company will be paid $53,766.
- Approved a $109,054 contract with Keith Bray of Bray's Cabinets & More, Palmyra, Va., for the body restoration work on the former Scranton Transit Co. 324 trolley.
- Awarded a contract to Arbitrage Rebate Counselors, Ardmore, for arbitrage rebate services related to the county's 2008 bond issue at $2,800 per bond.
- OK'd an agricultural conservation easement with Rosemary S. and Richard W. Weise for 13 acres of land in Madison Twp.
- Approved the Women's Resource Center's receipt of a Byrne Justice Assistance Grant for $107,689. The grant will be used to provide crisis intervention to young adults who are victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
- Heard a complaint by Childs resident Michael Catanzaro about the cost to construct a handicapped-accessible ramp at the Dunmore Police Department. The commissioners said the $111,680 contract was awarded in compliance with federal community block grant guidelines.
- Acting as the salary board, approved the creation of two positions: a temporary juvenile detention officer at a salary of $34,170 and a special county detective at $43,083. Within the district attorney's office, the board increased the salary of the insurance fraud clerk typist from $35,190 to $36,190 and the crime victim advocate from $37,740 to $38,495.
- Proclaimed Wednesday as "Fred Lettieri Day" in the county in recognition of the former Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency executive director's 40 years of public service.
- Presented Leadership Lackawanna with a "Good Works in Lackawanna County" certificate of recognition.
Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com