During a short meeting Wednesday morning, the Monroe County Commissioners approved the release of bids for a cooling tower replacement at the administration center and for “lone-worker safety devices.”

Commissioner John Christy explained that the product the commissioners are considering is a pendant to be worn by employees of Children and Youth, the Department of Aging or other workers who regularly go into clients’ homes. The pendant would be worn around the neck much like an identification badge but would contain a button that, when pressed, would send a signal to a help desk where someone would listen in to determine if the employee is in danger or in need of assistance.

The commissioners are in the process of getting information on the use and cost of the devices. A question was raised as to whether the device would violate the Pennsylvania wiretap laws.

The commissioners also ratified the 2018-20 Emergency Solutions Grant Agreement in the amount of $329,953. The total grant including in-kind contributions was $659,906.

Distributions for the grant funds were authorized to:

Resources for Human Development Inc., for street outreach and rapid housing, Family Promise of Monroe County for rapid housing and homeless prevention and to Catholic Social Services for Shepherd’s Maternity House for emergency sheltering.

A lease was ratified for the use of the Blue Ridge Cherry Valley Rod and Gun Club in the amount of $1,000 to permit the county’s sheriff’s department to use the facility for target practice and for requalification.

Pat Kennedy was reappointed to the Monroe County Planning Commission for a term to expire Dec. 31, 2022.