Lycoming County honors landfill workers who stopped a recycling‑center fire and approves multiple hires

Lycoming County commissioners opened their Jan. 1 meeting by recognizing employees who intervened in two on‑site emergencies at the county recycling/landfill complex.

"We definitely saved a 60,000 square foot building with your actions," said Gary Stager, county staff presenting the awards, describing a Nov. 28 lithium‑battery fire at the county recycling center that employees moved outside before the fire company arrived. Stager named the employees involved: Dan DeSanto, Brian Hillis, Ty Jerick, Eric Evelyn, Brian Moll, Doug Leonard, Gavin Feigley, Landon Ernest and Aaron Harmon.

Stager also recounted a Dec. 22 incident in which operator Terry Moser and other staff assisted an injured hauler, called 911 and helped first responders safely move the patient to an ambulance. The board presented certificates and paid time off in recognition of the staff responses.

The meeting then moved to personnel matters. The board approved hiring actions in the treasurer's office—Norma Pettinger as a deputy and Robin Kaiser as a clerk—effective Jan. 4, 2026, and approved conditional offers for positions including a prison personnel assistant (Susan Sadason), a Public Safety Communications Center administrative specialist (Shirley Hamm), an EMA manager (Christopher Smith) and an acting director of public safety/CAD training coordinator (Dustin Williams), with an accompanying 5% comp increase for the acting director assignment.

Commissioners and staff praised the employees’ quick action and noted first‑responder experience among some team members. A group photo followed the recognitions. The meeting adjourned and was scheduled to reconvene Jan. 15, 2026, at 10 a.m.