Pike County commissioners introduce new sheriff, approve senior proclamation and multiple county payments

Pike County commissioners on Feb. 19 opened their meeting by introducing the county’s newly sworn sheriff, approved a proclamation recognizing February 2025 as Senior Independence Month, and authorized a series of payments and program agreements covering human services, housing and emergency medical services.

Sheriff introduction and background Pike County’s new sheriff, Brian Beaney, introduced himself to the commissioners and members of the public. "My name is Brian Beaney. I am from Tafton here in Pike County, a lifelong resident, and it's my honor to be your 40 fourth sheriff of Pike County," Beaney said, describing more than 25 years with the state police, including work as a trooper, corporal, sergeant and lieutenant and service in criminal investigations and internal affairs. He also said he had been a volunteer firefighter and looks forward to working with the county’s fire, EMS and law enforcement community.

Why it matters: Commissioners framed the introduction as a transition in county law-enforcement leadership ahead of an upcoming election referenced at the meeting; Beaney’s law-enforcement and volunteer-firefighting background was presented as relevant to coordinating with local emergency services.

Retirement board actions The board recessed into the full retirement board to consider pension-related business. The retirement board approved routine clerical items including the agenda and prior minutes; approved refunds of contributions for five employees no longer with the county; approved one listed disability retirement; and approved submission of the pension system’s 2025 Act 293 actuarial evaluation report to the Pennsylvania Department of Auditor General. The retirement board then reconvened the commissioners’ meeting.

Senior services proclamation and programs The commissioners adopted Resolution No. 25-05, proclaiming February 2025 as National Senior Independence Month in Pike County and encouraging year-round support for older residents. A representative of the county aging office (identified in the meeting as representing Pike County Area and Aging) described plans for new programs beginning in March, including "Healthy Steps for In Motion" and an evidence-based activity called "Bingo Size" that combines exercise and nutrition; the representative noted the county operates five senior centers at Sawyer's (transcript: "Soil") Creek, Pocono/Marsh/Lake Estates (transcript phrasing unclear), Lackawaxen, Blooming Grove and Milford/Delaware-area sites and invited older residents to participate. "This is to help all our seniors to live a longer and healthier life," the representative said.

Human services, housing and program agreements The commissioners authorized multiple human-services payment vouchers and agreements, including: Emergency Rental Assistance Program 2 payments of $417.53; Human Service Development Fund payments of $588.62; FAIR payments of $3,127; State Food Purchase Program payments of $2,020.51 and $0.27; Whole Home Repair payments of $500; an Affordable Housing Fund payment of $58.75 to the Pike County Recorder of Deeds (as recorded in the meeting); and a Pike County HOME Program payment of $2,225 payable to Old Bridge, Pa. The board also authorized execution of a local CASA program funding agreement between Pennsylvania Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc. and CASA of Pike County; executed an Act 148 FY 2024-25 second-quarter certification statement for Children and Youth Services; and authorized Family First transition funds for FY 2024-25 second quarter on behalf of Children and Youth Services.

Emergency Medical Services matching grant disbursements The commissioners approved multiple disbursements from the Pike County Emergency Medical Services Matching Grant Fund for FY 2023-24 (listed in the meeting as fiscal year 20 24). Payments approved included: Palmyra Township $63,135.88; Westfall Township $25,100 (multiple quarters reflected); Blooming Grove Township $1,950.59; Delaware Township $53,750; Dingman Township $87,200; Greene Township $1,065.90; Lackawaxen Township $81,951; Lehman Township $89,049.62; Palmyra Township (additional listed) $63,135.88; Porter Township $8,000; Shohola Township $24,500; and Westfall Township $25,100 (as enumerated in the meeting). The chair noted that the matching-grant program is funded by county dollars that match township contributions and emphasized the shared local funding model that supports ambulance services across the county.

Finance and other business The board approved general-fund county bills in the amount of $845,208.03, a hazardous-material response fund payment of $786.89, and a bridge-repair account payment of $11,602.12. The commissioners opened but received no bids on a leasing opportunity for approximately 80 acres to be planted during the 2025 growing season and voted to re-open the bid opportunity at a future meeting.

Public and community items During miscellaneous business and public comment the commissioners heard from county staff and partners about an eighth annual job fair scheduled for April 1, with an expected 70 employers and prior attendance near 300 job-seekers; the event will include a reverse job fair component for job seekers with special needs and a donated clothes closet for interview clothing. A staff member from a state representative’s office also noted upcoming concealed-carry events hosted by the representative.

What remains unresolved Most motions at the meeting were approved by voice vote with "Aye" recorded; no motions were recorded as failing. Where the transcript omitted specific mover/second names or a formal roll-call tally, the article reports outcomes as recorded in the meeting minutes and transcript.