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Wayne County commissioners adopt grant application, approve hires, promotions and $394,852.49 in bills
Summary
At their Jan. 29 meeting in Honesdale, the Wayne County Commissioners unanimously adopted Resolution 29-01-2026 to apply for a Statewide LSA grant for a Conservation Education Center at Van Scott Nature Reserve, approved multiple personnel hires and promotions with effective dates, and approved county bills totaling $394,852.49.
HONESDALE, Pa. — The Wayne County Commissioners on Jan. 29 unanimously adopted Resolution No. 29-01-2026 authorizing the county to apply for a Statewide Local Share Account (LSA) grant on behalf of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy to support a Conservation Education Center at the Van Scott Nature Reserve.
Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner James Shook seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The resolution authorizes the county to submit the grant application on behalf of the conservancy; specific grant amounts and award conditions were not specified in the minutes.
The board also processed a string of personnel actions. The commissioners accepted a letter of retirement from Deputy Prothonotary Susan Gillow, effective March 6, 2026, and voted unanimously to terminate two county employees: Joseph Dominick, Children and Youth County Caseworker 2 (effective Jan. 28, 2026), and Payroll Specialist Joseph Cerverizzo (effective Jan. 27, 2026). The board approved several hires and promotions with the following effective dates: Amy Bidwell was hired as a part-time Aging Care Manager at the Wayne County Area Agency on Aging (effective March 2, 2026); Christine Irwin was promoted from County Casework Supervisor to Casework Manager 1 at Wayne County Children and Youth Services (effective Feb. 2, 2026); Scott Neff was hired as a part-time van driver for Wayne County Transportation (effective Feb. 9, 2026); John Langton was promoted from Office Manager in the Public Defenders’ Office to Paralegal/Legal Assistant (rate unchanged); Charles Neumann was promoted from County Caseworker 2 to County Caseworker 3 at Children and Youth Services (effective Feb. 2, 2026); and Jessica Stiff was hired as a part-time Veterans Services Officer at Wayne County Veterans Affairs (effective Feb. 9, 2026). All personnel motions passed unanimously.
Commissioner Brian W. Smith and other commissioners recognized Deputy MIS Director Eric Swendson for 20 years with the county. MIS Director Dennis Ford introduced Swendson, noting his internship and subsequent role in building the county’s computer network; Commissioners praised his service, citing his work during the COVID-19 pandemic and on cyber security matters.
On finance matters, the board received the Treasurer’s Report dated Jan. 28, 2026 and voted unanimously to approve payment of presented bills, including checks No. 138678 through 138723 and other agency checks. The total for the approved bill run was $394,852.49. Separate voucher and payment sections recorded: a Transportation-related voucher (including a $4,794.56 payment tied to David Kizer), HSA weekly vouchers and ACH entries totaling $12,171.50, Children and Youth payments totaling $329,637.46, BDP/EI items totaling $10,251.59 on the page shown, 911 account payments totaling $9,845.87 and health-account EFTs totaling $130,747.73; individual vendor line items were listed in the minutes.
Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer publicly thanked county staff in Maintenance, the prison, EMA and 911 for working during a recent major snowstorm when county offices were closed.
The board recessed to hold an executive session on litigation, later reconvened and voted to adjourn. The minutes were signed by Chief Clerk Andrew M. Seder. The minutes do not record discussion details from the executive session or any votes taken there.
