Clinton County Furloughing 49 Employees

LOCK HAVEN – The Clinton County Commissioners have approved the furlough of 49 county employees, all the result of the coronavirus.

Board chairman Miles Kessinger made the announcement at the commissioners’ Thursday meeting. He said those laid off are 33 fulltime and 16 part-time employees. He called the decision a “downsizing” in each department. Only the county’s Emergency Services and 911 center are not affected. Fellow commissioner Jeff Snyder said the furloughs “are to make sure the employees are home and safe.” He said those at home could be recalled as needed if those still at work should become ill.

In response to a caller at their “virtual” meeting, Kessinger said two inmates at the Clinton County Correctional Facility, described as the “most liable” for the coronavirus, had been released to their families and left the area. He also said an unspecified number of “lower concern” inmates, in consultation with the county court system, had been released. He said new prison detainees are quarantined for 14 days upon admission. Snyder said washing machines at the lockup were recently upgraded and should help “make sure our inmates are protected from the virus.”

Snyder said the county will continue the lockdown of its three public buildings, the court house, the Piper Building and the Garden Building. He said county services will continue to be provided and mailboxes have been placed in the front of each for the public to drop off material. As an example, he said, residents can use the new mailbox at the Piper Building to drop off their taxes. Kessinger said the lockdown will likely continue until the end of April, in line with the directive from Gov. Tom Wolf.

Commissioner Angela Harding urged county residents to abide by the state “stay at home” directive and “please stay home.”