HONESDALE, PA — “We don’t want rain dripping down on the judge,” Wayne County Commissioner and attorney Wendell Kay said last week.

The top (fourth) floor of the Wayne County Courthouse Annex houses county courtrooms, and the roof of the 1976 annex is in need of replacement.

The short May 21 agenda for the commissioners’ panel allowed for a bit of humor and recollection last week.

Chief Clerk Vicky Botjer suggested that perhaps the roof got some undue stress two years ago during an avian intrusion.

On one summer evening, when the courtroom windows were opened overnight, an owl hunting on the adjoining Lackawaxen River got in and took up temporary residence.

The commissioners went back to business, opening two bids for the work.

Grimm Construction of Waymart bid $84,752, while Budget Renovations and Roofing of Shamokin provided the apparent low bid at $77,649.

Both bids were referred to the county engineer for a recommendation.

Botjer also noted a possible sign of an improving employment atmosphere, when in accepting an employee resignation, she noted that the clerk-typist civil service list is currently depleted and “in need of new people.”

The commissioners also approved a letter of recommendation supporting Wayne Memorial Hospital’s grant application for state/federal funding to physically expand the Stourbridge Family Health Services facility to include mental health services.

The commissioners also recently announced the fourth annual Wayne County Safety Fair for Kids.

The fair will take place on May 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the County Complex at 648 Park Street. See page 8 for details.

Call 570/253-9200 or 570/253-4262 for more information.