Fayette considers using state archivist program
The Fayette County commissioners Tuesday opted to consider participation in an archivist program through the state, although two commissioners disagreed about the need for such a program. Commissioner Angela M. Zimmerlink said there may be funding available for the Itinerant Archivist Program though the Pennsylvania State Archives/County Commissioners Association for counties to strengthen or develop archiving and records management. The commissioners voted to place a motion on Thursday’s agenda to consider participation in the program.
Zimmerlink said although some of the county’s row officers have received money and begun archiving records, she realized a few years ago when developing the county’s Web site that the county’s archiving is not up to standard. She said competitive grant funding could be used to hire someone to archive the records.
Zimmerlink said archiving commissioners office records has been on the back burner a little too long.
Commissioner Vincent A. Vicites said he never heard of the issue before, adding that even if the county gets the competitive money, it would cost more to fund such an undertaking.
Zimmerlink said one function of a commissioner is to maintain such records, to which Vicites replied there is going to be a cost.
Commission Chairman Vincent Zapotosky said the county must take the step and archive the records. Zimmerlink said it has been done in a piecemeal manner.
Vicites said the row officers have done a good job and have made extensive progress. He said there is a records archiving department that has archived a lot of records in compliance with an act requiring such archiving a few years ago.
“Anything supplemental would be OK, but there will be a cost associated with it,” Vicites said.
“I think we are in compliance with the act. It’s not like we’re not doing anything at all.”
Zimmerlink said the action has nothing to do with the row offices, adding that currently one employee does records management under payment from grant funds for three or four departments.
The commissioners also voted to place on Thursday’s agenda motions to lease a new 2008 minibus, and to purchase flags and grave markers, both for the veteran’s affairs office.
In September, a request was made by the veteran’s affairs director on the heels of complaints from veterans that the county’s vans are not large enough and difficult for some older veterans to use.
Zimmerlink asked county manager Warren Hughes to provide the number of bids that were received and the amounts for Thursday’s meeting.
Regarding the grave markers, Vicites said the commissioners may be asked to go with the higher bid because the metal of the low bid tends to rust.
“We don’t want rusty grave markers,” Vicites said.
The commissioners will also take action Thursday on the purchase of additional voting machines; and will make appointments to the Fayette County Housing Authority, among other county boards.