SMETHPORT — In a report to the McKean County Commissioners Tuesday morning, Sheriff Dan Woods said that the jail has “earned full compliance during the 2018 inspection period,” meaning there were no deficiencies or citations to report.
In a letter to Woods, which he read at the meeting, Christopher Oppman, deputy secretary of administration in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, wrote, “Assistant wardens David Stahlman and Rick Austin and the McKean County Jail staff under your administration as the sheriff/warden, deserve credit for efforts in operating this facility in accordance with statewide correctional standards.”
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Office of County Inspections and Services, Inspector Stephen Noll who conducted the July 11, inspection, found that the jail “has achieved full compliance with the Title 37, Chapter 95 County Correctional Institutions, Administrative Standards, Regulations and Facilities. Staff commitment to compliance is evident throughout the facility allowing the facility to maintain an audit-ready status.”
As a result of this achievement, the jail is now exempt from the normal annual inspection cycle. The next inspection is slated for 2020.
Woods lauded his staff at the jail for this clean inspection report and thanked the county commissioners for their financial support of the facility to maintain the current level. “This was a group effort and is an on-going project,” he noted.
One county aid application was approved. Lafayette Township will use this payment of $5,516 to replace the overhead blinking caution light at routes 59 and 219.
Commissioners also approved four resolutions permitting the county to enter into renewal contract agreements. They were for The Christian Home of Johnstown Inc.; Family Care for Children and Youth Inc.; Catholic Charities Counseling and Adoptive Services; and attorney Stanley Pecora Jr., as mental health review officer.
Another resolution that gained approval authorizes the county to advertise for the passage of a proposed ordinance, which will permit the issuing of a guaranty of a 2018 guaranteed general obligation note for the Bradford Regional Airport Authority.
The county will also enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Headwaters Charitable Trust.
Following the meeting, county planner Jeremy Morey explained that he has submitted a Peer to Peer grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on behalf of the HCT. These grants are used to assist municipalities in improving park, recreation and conservation services, and Morey said the funds will be used to develop the best practices for the trail development and signage for the Knox-Kane Trail. “The planning office will then pass this funding to the Headwaters Charitable Trust, which will administer the grant,” Morey explained.
Commissioners also adopted a resolution congratulating Bradford Regional Medical Center on the 30th anniversary of its Behavioral Health Services, which “provides comprehensive inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services to individuals with a wide range of metal health and addiction needs.”
