A Luzerne County Council majority removed a mail ballot drop box discussion from last week’s work session agenda.
The proposed resolution would ask the county Election Board to explore potential additional mail ballot drop box locations for the Nov. 3 general election.
Councilman John Lombardo argued the matter should be removed due to the time needed to discuss other matters on the agenda.
In addition to Lombardo, five council members voted to delete the drop box discussion: Steve Coslett, Harry Haas, LeeAnn McDermott, Dawn Simmons, and Vice Chairwoman Brittany Stephenson.
Those against removal: Chairman Jimmy Sabatino, Chris Belles, Denise Williams, Joanna Bryn Smith, and Patty Krushnowski.
Sabatino had said he initiated the proposed resolution because he believes more than two drop box sites are warranted. He acknowledged the volunteer, five-citizen election board has the final say and was hopeful enough time remains for the board to consider options before general election mail ballots are issued.
Oct. 20 is the deadline to issue general election mail ballots, although county Election Director Emily Cook has been getting them out before the deadline, when possible, to ensure voters have ample time to receive and return them by regular mail.
Election Board
The county Election Board is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the county courthouse on River Street in Wilkes-Barre.
A link for the remote attendance option will be posted in council’s authorities, boards, and commissions online meeting section at luzernecounty.org.
Correctional Services
Council’s Correctional Services Committee is set to meet at 4 p.m. Thursday in the courthouse.
Council created the committee earlier this year to discuss prison issues without interfering in daily operations handled by the county manager under the home rule structure.
A link to attend remotely will be posted in council’s online meeting section at luzernecounty.org.
American Rescue
A council majority voted last week to grant Harveys Lake an extension to complete a project covered by county American Rescue Plan Act funding.
Council had awarded the borough $850,000 for a public safety support building.
The borough sought an extension to Nov. 30.
Council members have been reluctant to allow extensions because federal guidelines required American Rescue projects to be completed by the end of 2026.
Michael Lombardo, representing Quad 3 Group, a project engineer, told council there are no concerns about finishing the project by Nov. 30. The construction bid has been awarded, and the project is not complicated, he said.
County Manager Romilda Crocamo also announced the federal government has just released a new interpretation that American Rescue projects must be “substantially complete,” not entirely completed, by the end of this year.
Community development
Nic Cave is the county’s new community development director, Crocamo announced last week.
The position is open due to the retirement of Catherine Hilsher, who had been promoted to oversee the department in October 2023.
According to Crocamo:
Cave has more than 25 years of experience in municipal government, affordable housing, federal grant administration, workforce development, and social services.
He most recently served as Wilkes-Barre’s Bureau of Community Development program manager, where he supported the administration and implementation of the city’s community development and housing initiatives and ensured compliance with federal statutory and regulatory requirements. His responsibilities there included program and contract administration, U.S. Housing and Urban Development reporting, subrecipient monitoring, housing rehabilitation, loan administration, project oversight, policy development, and preparation of the city’s five-year consolidated plan, annual action plan, and consolidated annual performance and evaluation report.
Cave also served as Wilkes-Barre’s fair housing officer and has been a member of the county Continuum of Care Board for more than a decade. His earlier career includes workforce development, employment counseling, case management, and supportive services for veterans, families, and individuals facing barriers to employment and housing.
He has a bachelor’s degree in child and family studies from Syracuse University and an associate’s degree in human services management from Lackawanna Junior College.
“As Community Development plays a central role in administering federal and state housing and infrastructure funding for Luzerne County residents and municipalities, having someone with Nic’s depth of knowledge is essential,” Crocamo said. “Nic already knows this region’s housing needs inside and out. That’s rare, and it matters.”