SMETHPORT -ðRequests from seven municipalities for Community
Development Block grants were approved by McKean County
Commissioners Thursday in a special session.
Grants totaling $211,867 will go towards projects ranging from a
fire engine purchase to recreational equipment and a building
demolition.
Keating Township will get $60,000 to assist in the purchase of a
pumper/tanker truck for Hilltop Volunteer Fire Department. The
recommendation by the McKean Housing and Redevelopment Authority
noted that the volunteer department has been trying for six years
to buy new truck and will provide the balance of the funds needed
for the purchase.
Hamlin Township was given $19,540 to purchase and install a 25
kw emergency generator for the Hamlin Township Fire Hall. It was
noted that since Sept. 11, 2001, the county has been trying to
assist all county fire departments in obtaining emergency
generators.
Eldred Borough will get $25,450 for the purchase of three meters
to measure flow in sewer lines attempting to identify area of high
infiltration.
Mount Jewett requested funds for demolition of two buildings,
but received $35,000 for razing the Old Kettle Building only,
apparently because the borough owns that one.
Three grants will go for park and recreational equipment and
improvements, with $35,520 going to Hamilton Township for repairs
to the concrete floor of the pavilion, improvements in the parking
area and driveway and to installation handicapped accessible, two
stall “Sweet smelling toilet.”
Baseball dugouts in Smethport’s Hamlin Park will be constructed
with an $18,000 allocation and Wetmore Township will purchase a
$18,537 playground system to assist in developing a community park
in East Kane. It was noted that the township is committed to
providing labor for the project.
Bradford and Kane have separate CBDG programs.
In other business, commissioners approved an agreement with
Utilitch Inc. of Wyomissing to audit some of the county’s bills for
errors, “They’ll study our utility and telecommunications bills for
overcharges and recovery those overcharges accordingly, if any,”
County Administrator Dick Casey explained. There is no charge to
the county for the service, he noted.
A resolution was approved to enter an agreement with Wendy
Manning for cleaning service at the new planning building location.
Previously, the agreement was to have been with Sharon Linnan, but
she has since reconsidered due to personal reasons, Casey said.
James O’Mara was reappointed to the North Central Workforce
Investment Board.
