PITTSTON TWP. — After some discussion, the Bi-County Airport Board on Thursday approved the health insurance plan for its 49 employees, despite knowing the exact cost.
Solicitor Donald Fredrickson reported to the board that the airport received notice within the last month of changes to the plan with Highmark Insurance that need to be in place by Jan. 1.
Chris Dalessandro, director of finance, told the board that the cost in 2025 was $90,000 and could rise to $97,000 in 2026. But he said there is no way of knowing the exact cost until the bill comes in, prompting Luzerne County solicitor Harry Skenes to note that whatever the amount is, it surely will be higher than the current cost.
Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan said he could not vote on the matter since he first heard about it prior to the meeting. He requested it be tabled and a special meeting be held before the end of the year, but the board approved adding the matter to Thursday’s agenda. The motion passed 5-1.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a $4,000 salary increase for Acting Executive Director BJ Teichman, bringing her annual salary to $104,000.
• Approved Dalesandro’s financial report that showed Airport Operations had an income totaling $161,229, compared to an income of $93,369 in November 2024, a difference of $67,860.
Dallessandro said year to date, profit is $2,312,630, compared to a profit in 2024 of $238,633, a difference of $2,073,997.
The report also showed invoices received since the last meeting for supplies and services totaled $892,929.22, including major construction project costs of $585,479.26.63.
• Approved Michelle Aigeldinger, director of human resources, report that included new hires:
— Jody Sibio, Dunmore, 1st Shift Supervisor, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
— Joseph Casey, Dupont, Maintenance 2, effective upon confirmation of airport clearances, which includes a physical.
— Alexander Roper, Hughestown, Maintenance 2, effective upon confirmation of airport clearances, which includes a physical.
— Carl Samony, Old Forge, Maintenance 2, effective upon confirmation of airport clearances, which includes a physical.
• Approved the Air Service Report of Beth Coslett, air service development director, that showed passenger enplanements for November 2025 decreased 5.8% to 21,217 from 22,518 in November 2024.
Coslett said in November 2025, 18 departing flights were cancelled, 17 for weather/ATC; 1 for ground delay. This accounts for 1,145 (4.4%) out of a total of 26,123 departure seats. Also, 16 arriving flights were cancelled, all for weather/ATC.
• Approved the agreement between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport and Air Tera, effective Jan. 1, 2026. This is a 3-year contract, $9,000.00 per year.
• Heard Teichman report on the recent Snowball Express provided by Dana Monahan, marketing and communications director. On Saturday, Nov. 8, American Airlines, sponsor of the Gary Sinise Foundation’s Snowball Express since 2006, along with their team members, flew family members of our nation’s fallen heroes from Dalton to Orlando, Fla., for an all-expenses-paid 5-day trip to Disney World.
The foundation’s mission is to honor, support, and uplift the surviving parents/guardians and children of fallen military personnel and first responders. More than 1,500 families were sent to Disney this year.
