Beaver County commissioners approve three proclamations and routine business, appoint Susan Smith to aging council

The Beaver County Board of Commissioners on March 13 approved three ceremonial proclamations and a series of routine administrative items, and appointed a resident to the county Office of Aging Advisory Council.

The board proclaimed April 2025 as Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month, March 16–22, 2025 as Beaver County 4‑H Week, and March 2025 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The proclamations were presented by Penn State Extension and local stakeholders and approved by voice vote.

The proclamations acknowledged Pennsylvania 811’s utility-notification service and its role in marking underground lines before excavation, highlighted the role of 4‑H in youth development and local Penn State Extension programming, and recognized services and providers supporting people with developmental disabilities in Beaver County.

Solicitor Fidelis told the board that resolutions numbered 031325‑01 through 031325‑07 “have been reviewed by the law department and recommend their approval at this time.” The board approved those resolutions on the solicitor’s recommendation by voice vote.

The board also moved through a package of routine actions: approval of the Feb. 27, 2025 public meeting minutes and two work-session minutes (Feb. 26 and March 5, 2025); acceptance of the bills for payment after a controller’s review; and approval of the human resources personnel report (Attachment A). Each motion was carried by unanimous voice vote as recorded in the meeting.

In personnel business, the board approved the appointment of Susan Smith, of 1023 Ninth Avenue, Beaver Falls, Pa., to the Beaver County Office of Aging Advisory Council for three consecutive three‑year terms commencing March 13, 2025 and expiring March 13, 2034. The motion passed by voice vote.

Several community members and representatives attended for the proclamations. Jen McKinley, identified at the meeting as the Beaver County 4‑H educator, introduced 4‑H participants and leaders; Martha Hardenbrook was identified as a longtime 4‑H leader and Nathan Barrett as a youth member of the Hookestown Hooks Club. Board members and county staff thanked providers and advocates who attended the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Proclamation: Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month (April 2025). Motion made and seconded; unanimous voice vote; outcome: approved. - Proclamation: Beaver County 4‑H Week (March 16–22, 2025). Motion made and seconded; unanimous voice vote; outcome: approved. - Proclamation: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (March 2025). Motion made and seconded; unanimous voice vote; outcome: approved. - Minutes: Approve Feb. 27, 2025 public meeting minutes; motion carried by voice vote. - Minutes: Approve Feb. 26, 2025 work session minutes; motion carried by voice vote. - Minutes: Approve March 5, 2025 work session minutes; motion carried by voice vote. - Bills: Controller review and approval of bills for payment; motion carried by voice vote. - Human Resources: Approve personnel report (Attachment A); motion carried by voice vote. - Appointment: Susan Smith to Beaver County Office of Aging Advisory Council (term commencing 03/13/2025, expiring 03/13/2034); motion carried by voice vote. - Resolutions: 031325‑01 through 031325‑07 — recommended by the law department and approved by the board; motion carried by voice vote.

The meeting closed with announcements about the next public meeting and the salary board schedule. No executive session was reported during the public meeting.