By LAURA JAMESON ljameson@lockhaven.com
LOCK HAVEN - The Clinton County Board of Commissioners approved a curing policy for mail and absentee ballots during its voting session this week.
The policy was also approved through the county's board of elections prior to the commissioners meeting on Thursday morning.
Clinton County Voter Registrar Maria Boileau briefly explained the policy during the board's work session on Monday.
Boileau told the commissioners the policy would allow her office to make one attempt to contact a voter in the event of a defective ballot.
Defective ballots, according to the policy, include ballots that do not have a valid date on the envelope, no date or no signature. The policy also does not include correcting the ballot itself, just the envelope, she said. Ballots will not be opened at any time during that process.
In other election related business, the board also approved an application and agreement between the county and the Pennsylvania Department of State for the 2024 HAVA Grant funds for $3,000. The funding will be used to enhance election technology and make election security improvements.
In other business the board:
- Approved a parental leave policy for county employees, effective Oct. 17. Commissioner Angela Harding spoke briefly about the new policy which will offer six weeks of paid maternal leave to all new mothers, including those who have given birth, are fostering or adopting. The policy also offers two weeks of paternal leave for any new fathers in county government. "I'm very proud we're able to do that and it affords new parents in the county government to not expend all vacation and sick time in order to become parents," she said.
- Approved suspicious packages and mail handling policy and guidelines for county employees, effective Oct. 3.
- Approved transportation plans between the county and Sugar Valley Rural Charter School, Keystone Central School District and Jersey Shore Area School District for Clinton County Children and Youth Services foster care youth.
- Approved the purchase of service contracts between the county and KCSD and JSASD for transportation services for children in custody of Clinton County Children and Youth Services, effective Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2027.
- Tabled a contract between the county and Southwood Psychiatric Hospital, LLC, to provide continued placement and treatment of youth at a cost of $700 per day. Harding requested the item be tabled while new information is reviewed.
- Approved a one-year subscription license agreement with CDW-G for SolarWinds Helpdesk Solution for $1,140.28, effective Nov. 17, 2024 to Nov. 17, 2025.
- Considered a proposal from Morefield Communication for transition to flex plan and Cisco Smartnet renewal at a cost of $18,663, effective until Nov. 18, 2025.
- Considered an agreement between the county and B Connecting, LLC to provide services to individuals, families, training and workshops to Children and Youth Services, effective Aug. 7, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
- Approved an application for the 2024 Grant-in-Aid application to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for $42,447 for the probation department.
- Approved a lease agreement and bill of sale between the county and SBA Properties, LLC for tower antenna space and ground space for placement at a cost of $4,000 a month, effective Oct. 17.
- Approved the 2025 board meeting calendar. The commissioners will meet for work sessions at 9 a.m. on: Jan. 13, 27; Feb. 10, 24; March 10, 24; April 7, 21; May 5, 19; June 2, 23; July 7, 21; Aug. 4, 18; Sept. 15, 29; Oct. 13, 27; Nov. 10; Dec. 1, 15. Voting sessions are scheduled for: Jan. 16, 30; Feb. 11, 27; March 13, 27; April 10, 24; May 8, 22; June 5, 26; July 10, 24; Aug. 7, 21; Sept. 4, 18; Oct. 2, 16, 30; Nov. 13; Dec. 4 and 18.
- Approved the holiday schedule for 2025 which includes office closures on: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Jan. 20; President's Day on Feb. 17; Good Friday on April 18; Memorial Day on May 26; Juneteenth on June 19; Labor Day on Sept. 1; Veterans Day on Nov. 11; Thanksgiving on Nov. 27 and 28; Christmas on Dec. 24, 25 and 26 and also New Year's Day 2026.
