McClure Responds to Cusick Question About West Easton Work Release Facility

Yesterday, I told you that Northampton County Council member John Cusick questioned what was going on at the vacant work release facility in West Easton. Corrections Director James Kosura said there was no "immediate time" to re-open it. 

County Exec Lamont McClure had a more detailed answer at last night's Council meeting. He said the building is currently used for training by deputy sheriffs and corrections officers. "But I'm here to announce tonight that West Easton will be open next week."

McClure acknowledged that the facility was closed during COVID. The national public health emergency ended on May 11. McClure said that he was waiting for a new scanner to check inmates when they return from their jobs.

In other business, McClure announced that the County has received a $264,000 federal grant for solar panels at the Archives building. He expects this will produce enough energy that ot will both power the building and provide energy the county can cell. The county also has solar panels at the forensic center, which provides most of the energy consumed there.  

Cusick Asks Why County Pays Rent For Vacant Work Release Facility

West Easton wirk release center

At a NorCo Council Committee hearing yesterday, Corrections Director James Kostura was pitching the creation of some new positions at the jail when Council member John Cusick had this exchange with him:  

"How's the West Easton facility? What's going on with that?"

    - "Right now we have West Easton still remained secured at this time. I'm able to handle the numbers up at the main institution and we're looking down the road to possibly opening that up again."

"We're currently paying rent for that facility and it is unoccupied."

    - "That is correct."

"Ok, and there's no immediate timetable to use it?"

    - "Not at this time. I don't have an immediate time. No, sir."

Alright, thank you." 

Later in the meeting, Council member Ron Heckman asked Kostura how much rent is paid by the county. Kostura, understandably, was unable to say off the top of his head. 

Northampton County's work release facility in West Easton was closed during the COVID-19 outbreak. When it started up again last year, there apparently was no need to use the West Easton facility. 

Northampton County Council unanimously approved a five-year lease for the West Easton facility at its March 17, 2022 meeting for an annual rent of $436,000, with the rent increasing every year with the cost of living. The lease provides that if the county ends it, it must pay the full balance of the lease. 

Cusick's question exposed an area of possible waste of county resources. If there's no need for use as a work release facility, it could be used to temporarily house other county departments that need more room. 

His question is typical of the kinds of questions he has asked as a Council member. It's why he should be Controller. 

(Tomorrow I'll bring you the latest in Court Administrator Jermaine Greene's quest to get the juvenile justicve center staffed)