CLEARFIELD – A new warden will bring a wealth of corrections experience to the Clearfield County Jail.
On Tuesday, the Clearfield County Commissioners hired David Kessling as warden, effective July 14. He will replace former warden Greg Collins, who retired March 27.
According to his Linkedin profile, Kessling is currently a deputy sheriff for the Blair County Sheriff’s Department, a post-retirement position he’s held since July 2018.
He served as warden of the Bedford County Correctional Facility from April 2013 through December 2014 and as deputy warden of the Monroe County Correctional Facility from 2011-2013.
Prior to that, Kessling had a lengthy career spanning more than 24 years with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and encompassing all aspects of corrections.
He started out as a corrections officer in June of 1987 but progressed through the various rankings of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, major, etc.
He also served as a Corrections Emergency Response Team leader for five years and as an Eastern Region CERT coordinator for two years.
Kessling concluded his DOC career as the deputy superintendent for facility management, providing administrative supervision for overall security of a 2,500-bed male correctional facility.
Also, on Tuesday, the salary board set Kessling’s salary at $66,000, which the commissioners said was reflective upon his wealth of corrections experience at the state and county levels.
In other business, the commissioners:
- approved a stipulation agreement concerning the 2018 Weis Market tax appeal for two parcels located at the former County Market in Decatur Township. Solicitor Heather Bozovich said for parcel one, the original assessment was $250,750 and it was reduced to $62,880 for 2019 and $52,905 for 2020. For parcel two, she said the original assessment was $351,875 and now it’s $73,060. While both parcels have been assessed significantly lower, she said they fall within the appraisal.
- authorized the chief clerk to advertise for bids for the roofing project at the Clearfield County Courthouse’s annex building. Bids will be opened and reviewed on July 14.
- approved an advertising agreement with RayMark Broadcasting (WOKW 102.9 FM) on behalf of the county’s Children & Youth Services Department.
- approved liquid fuel allocations to Wallaceton Borough, $3,000; Beccaria Township, $4,060.72; and Cooper Township, $5,457.36.
- approved the minutes from the previous meeting as presented by the chief clerk.
- approved the bills as presented by the Controller’s office.