Wayne 911 training center

Tax dollars will not be used

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE, PA - Questioned by a county resident, the Wayne County Commissioners stated clearly that tax dollars will not be spent on the proposed 911 Center.

The plan is to build a facility at the county farm near Beach Lake for an estimated $2.06 million that will house the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the 911 Center. The two operations are now separate in the courthouse complex. It makes sense to combine them, the commissioners said.

Last week, the commissioners approved an interest rate of 1.99 on a $2 million line of credit from the Wayne Bank that would be used for the construction of the new center.

“Many in the community are saying that this extremely expensive facility will be paid for by tax dollars,” said Bill Woodward, a resident of Pleasant Mount. “I think the people have a right to know if this is true or not.”

“We do not intend to use tax dollars on the construction of this facility,” said Brian Smith, chairman of the commissioners. “There are several sources of funding for this center which we have already.”

Smith pointed out that there are funds left over from a recent bond issue that could be utilized for the construction. “We have received nearly $1 million from the funds from gaming which we received earlier,” Smith said. He added that he and the board felt very secure that additional funding will come from numerous funding agencies in the state.

“First, it’s necessary to combine these two agencies together in one location that is adequate for their continued growth,” said commissioner Tony Herzog. “Not too long ago, the 911 center was flooded and had to be moved to the Dimmick building next door. Out at the county farm, the center will be built on a hill that won’t ever be flooded.”

“It won’t be necessary to purchase new equipment since we have it already,” said Vicky Lamberton, the chief clerk of the county. “We won’t have to hire any new personnel since our present staff can handle the new growth,” she said.

The following bids for the construction of the facility were approved at the meeting: general contractor Sordoni Construction Services, Inc for $1,063,000; HVAC by Bognet, Inc, for $156,544; plumbing by Bognet for $65,399 and electrical by Joyce Electrical, Inc for $778,000.

Construction will begin sometime in the summer.