By Marcia Moore
SUNBURY — The Northumberland County commissioners put the brakes Tuesday on a plan to replace eight security guards with a private firm.
“We want to review the agreement,” Commissioner Vinny Clausi said of the proposed $193,000 yearlong contract with Allied Barton Security Services.
County officials notified guards last week that they were eliminating their positions and hiring the firm April 1 to provide protection at the county courthouse, domestic relations and human services buildings.
It was a cost-savings decision that would save the county about $56,000 a year.
But on Tuesday, the commissioners agreed to table approval of the contract.
“We want to look at the implications for the county and the workers a little closer,” Chairman Frank Sawicki said.
Added Commissioner Kurt Masser, “We want to be fair to the employees.”
They would not elaborate on what areas of the contract they want to review.
“It’s a personnel matter,” Masser said.
Also at Tuesday’s public meeting, the board approved switching from PPL to Liberty Power Holdings for electricity at a savings of about two cents per kilowatt hour, or about $70,000 a year.
