Wayne County Commissioners approve $20,000 treatment grant, personnel moves and $1.3M in bills

The Wayne County Commissioners voted unanimously at their July 9, 2026 meeting in Honesdale to approve a Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Intermediate Punishment Program grant pass-through of $20,000 to Wayne County Drug and Alcohol Services, a package of personnel actions, and payment of $1,304,526.87 in county bills.

The $20,000 grant — approved on a motion by Commissioner Jocelyn Cramer and seconded by Chairman Brian W. Smith — is designated to cover treatment costs for people on probation with restrictive conditions who lack other funding options, the commissioners said. The motion passed unanimously.

The meeting also recorded multiple personnel decisions. Commissioners rescinded an offer of employment to Ronald Ashton (motion by Commissioner James Shook, seconded by Commissioner Cramer); changed the start date for Housing Caseworker Stacey Caproni to July 13, 2026 (moved by Commissioner Cramer, seconded by Commissioner Shook); and accepted the resignation of Full-Time Corrections Officer John Pyatt, effective July 15, 2026 (moved by Chairman Smith, seconded by Commissioner Shook). All motions were approved unanimously.

New hires approved to begin July 13, 2026, included Kevin Pimpinelli as County Caseworker 1 (Intake), Raymond Bleeker as a Maintenance 1 Worker (37.5-hour week), and Blaine Hunter as a part-time Dispatcher Trainee at Wayne County 911. The board also approved a lateral transfer of Leah Burns from Elections Data Manager to Mail Room Assistant/Floating Office Clerk/Purchasing with no change to hours or pay. These personnel motions were moved and seconded as noted in the public minutes and carried unanimously.

The Commissioners received the Treasurer's Report dated July 8, 2026, and voted to approve payment of the presented bills, which included Checks No. 140931 through 141010 and additional Human Services and BDPEI items. The total amount approved for payment was $1,304,526.87. The bills packet included routine operating expenses, contract payments, appropriations, and human services disbursements.

During the meeting, Children and Youth Administrator Jeannine Latsch and Casework Supervisor Shannon Guinard introduced Virginia Perea, a Children and Youth caseworker, for her 10-year anniversary with the county. Guinard described Perea as "an amazing caseworker," and Latsch said Perea is "the smiling face of the department." Perea told the commissioners the job is "heartwork," and Commissioners Smith, Cramer and Shook offered congratulations and praise for her dedication.

Commissioner Shook also acknowledged County Solicitor John Martin Sr. on his one-year anniversary in that role and announced a Chamber of the Northern Poconos bus trip to Loudoun County, Virginia, for township supervisors and borough managers to tour data centers. The Board adjourned by unanimous motion.

The meeting minutes were signed by Chief Clerk Andrew M. Seder.