Monroe County Commissioners conducted the following business earlier this month:

• Congratulated Eagle Scout Nathan Michael Fritz on his recent accomplishment and upcoming award ceremony later in the month.

• Aug. 31 was the International Overdose Awareness Day. Sharon Laverdure, president of the commissioners, mentioned that a ceremony was held at the Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church.

“It was absolutely gorgeous,” she said. “A wonderful dedication and tribute to family members who have lost loved ones.”

September is National Recovery Month, Laverdure said, so people might see purple lights lit this month.

Monroe County Area Agency on Aging

• Dr. Kathleen L. Post appointed to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Brook Langan on the AmeriCorps Senior RSVP Board. The term will expire on Dec. 31.

• Contract amendments approved with Beck N Call for changing the rate to $24.96 per hour for personal care and home support services; Amazing Souls Home Care rate change to $19.85 per hour for personal care and home support services; Meals on Wheels Inc. reimbursement rate change to $6.85 for a cold meal, $7.15 for a hot meal and $7 for a frozen meal.

• Extended contract with attorney Kelly Lombardo, Esq. through June 30, 2024, for legal services at $150 per hour.

• Contracts with Reliable Supportive Home Care LLC for personal care services at a rate of $19 per unit of service from Sept. 1 to June 30, 2026.

• Collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters Local 229 (court-appointed nonprofessional) from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025. Chief clerk Greg Christine said the contract was renewed; the only changed is the new length of the contract.

• Use the Election Integrity Grant Contract in the amount of $589,676.52 to support county election activities. Christine said the funds have been provided annually for the last two years from the federal government to the state, and then distributed by the state. The money is used to hire additional poll workers, salaries for poll workers, additional and new equipment when needed for elections and other election related expenses.

• Apply for the following grants - Edward Byrne Memorial Grant for $20,957 to help fund a crisis intervention team coordinator position in the District Attorney’s Office. Christine said if they receive the grant, then they would hire someone to help people who have committed a crime and have a mental illness to get help before sentencing. The other two grants that commissioners applied for include the 2022 Community Development Block Grant for $674,785, and the Keystone Historic Preservation Grant for $25,000 to fund a feasibility study of the old jail.

Other business

• Monroe County Children & Youth Services - purchase of a service contract with Pinkey’s Vineyard of Youth Ministries for a maximum amount of $180,000.

• Computer capital purchases report as of Aug. 31 totaling $259,244.

• Use of Courthouse Square - FLECHA on Sept. 16 for National Hispanic Heritage Month, and Woman’s Resources from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 18 for the Candle Light Vigil.

• Memorandum of Understanding with Stroudsburg for the donation of a used 1990 pumper fire truck to the County Public Safety Center Fire Training School.

• Enter into an Educational Training Agency agreement with Pennsylvania to allow for continued training opportunities with the state and the Public Safety Center Fire School.