Carbon County commissioners

The Carbon County Commissioners, on Thursday, acted on or discussed the following items:

• Commissioner William O’Gurek commended Kathy Henderson, director of economic development for the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp., for the organization’s work throughout the county. Henderson reported on two things happening in the area, including a warehouse project in Kidder Township that is expected to bring in approximately 300 jobs once it is built; and CCEDC looking to build another building in its industrial park in Nesquehoning for a tenant that needs additional space.

• Henderson also announced that her office is working on its first Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan. The $2 million loan request for St. Luke’s Palmerton has been submitted to the Department of Community and Economic Development and will be up for approval in January.

• Commissioner-elect Chris Lukasevich asked the board if there was a memorandum of understanding between the county and Family Promise of Carbon County that will guarantee space for single homeless women in the new shelter in Nesquehoning after a ruling by the Nesquehoning Zoning Hearing Board capped the number of occupants in the shelter at 15. The reason for the question was because Carbon County is giving Family Promise $50,000 to use for the purchase of the former St. Francis of Assisi church and rectory.

“If we are contributing to this necessary nonprofit, (we need to make sure) they are meeting the needs and the reason for the movement of funds for hat project,” he said.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said that no memorandum has been put in place to date.

• Nothstein presented Commissioners Thomas J. Gerhard and William O’Gurek, who are ending their terms as commissioners on Jan. 5, certificates from the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania recognizing them for their years of service. Gerhard thanked everyone he worked with in the county over the last eight years and wished the new officials coming in the very best.

• Approved the reappointment of Marshall Walters of Lehighton to a five-year term on the Industrial Development Authority.

• Approved the resignation of O’Gurek from the Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health/Developmental Services Advisory Board, effective Dec. 31.

• Approved the resignation of Roman Baran of Hazleton from the Redevelopment Authority. Baran served on the authority since June 17, 1993.

• Approved a proposal with Baut Studios of Swoyersville for the inspection and report of the condition of two Tiffany windows at St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church on Race Street in Jim Thorpe. The cost is $500.