(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
One day after sharing thoughts and answering questions at the State Of The County breakfast at Geneva College, the Beaver County Commissioners spent their weekly work session…sharing thoughts and answering questions.
One of the first questions belonged to District Attorney David Lozier, who came to the Commissioners with concerns regarding the pending shutdown of the CCAP (County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania) Case Management System. “We got notice yesterday that the CCAP Case Management System is being taken offline on December 31 with no alternative in place,” Lozier stated.
Lozier’s concerns with the shutdown lies in what Beaver County will have to do themselves: “The result is going to be 20-25 counties who use this commissioner-created database…we’re all gonna be shut down. So now Adult Probation, and I, and anyone who uses the system…are gonna have to find an alternative.” The Commissioners had stated that they had reached out to officials regarding the matter, but Solicitor Garen Fedeles said that the Board will try to reach CCAP directly.
Following a promotion for the return of the Beaver County Snow Shovel Riding Championship at Old Economy Park on February 25, Parks & Recreation director Tony Caltury provided another update regarding Old Economy Village: the pool. He said that there have been plans made regarding the allowance of the Beaver County YMCA to train and hire lifeguards for the Old Economy Pool, as well as scheduling shifts and maintenance of the pool itself.
Caltury said that the fees for the Beaver County YMCA to take over operation of the Old Economy Pool would fall around roughly $17,000 in management fees. “Historically, it’s been a losing venture,” Caltury stated about the pool; adding that the budgeting of the management fees would keep the monetary net similar to less operative years at Old Economy Pool (such as 2022).
There has also been talk of a fully functional disc-golf course being built at Brush Creek Park, and Caltury brought forth the idea at Wednesday’s work session. “With your blessing,” he said, “I would like to further those discussions, get an official price, and see if we can pursue that. This would be another free venture at Brush Creek Park where people can use [it], and it fits the vibe that Brush Creek appeals to.”
Solicitor Fedeles announced that the County had opened up bidding for a service to print ballots for Beaver County election, stating that they’ve been in contact with companies with the lowest bidding and that “it looks like it’s probably going to be a new company moving forward printing our ballots here, starting with this election coming up.” He then presented the Commissioners with the agenda and resolutions for the February 9 public meeting; the majority of the resolutions deal with tax exonerations within the city of Beaver Falls. The resolutions will be voted on at Thursday’s meeting at 10:00 AM.
Commissioner Chairman Dan Camp spoke about the ongoing detonation of the chemical tanks in neighboring East Palestine, Ohio; focusing on the efforts of Beaver County’s First Responders and thanking them for their support during the situation. “Beaver County is really on top of their game, and I think that has to do with the nuclear power plant that we have here,” Camp said. “We are ready for any incident that can happen across Beaver County and Western PA.”
The Commissioners’ next work session is scheduled for February 15 at 10:00 AM at the Beaver County Courthouse.