Jefferson County Seeks Protection From Accident Cleanup Expenses

BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – On Tuesday, the Jefferson County Commissioners approved advertising an ordinance that will allow the county to recoup any money it may spend on accident scene cleanups.

The ordinance, if passed, will replace and supersede County Ordinance 9 of 1994.

County Emergency Services Director Tracy Zents explained that the new measure will update the HAZMAT ordinance and will help the county from footing the bill for cleanup of hazardous or toxic materials or chemicals at accident scenes.

“What it does is allow us to recover the cost of expenses for materials and apparatus that is used in the cleanup of a scene. The current ordinance was 22 years old, so it’s time to get that updated,” Zents said. “We usually don’t have problems with that, but with the costs rising to do such cleanup work, it’s important to have these measures in place.”

The proposed ordinance also has some teeth in it, too, providing for fines and imprisonment if payment is not made.

The Commissioners also approved entering into a Proposal for Professional Consulting Services retainer with MCM Consulting Group along with the counties of the Northern Tier Regional Communications Project to prepare and implement next generation 911, regionalization technology and shared services projects.

Jefferson County’s share of the project is about $12,000.00, but Zents said a state grant would cover the cost of it.

Also, the Commissioners approved the re-appointment of Richard Gordon, of Reynoldsville, to the County Housing Authority for a five-year term ending December 31, 2021.

They also approved the appointments of Jon Noonan, of Brookville, and Alaria Sun, of Union Township, to the County Solid Waste Authority to fill vacant expired terms.

Both terms are for three years, ending December 31, 2019.


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