SMETHPORT – The September meeting of McKean County Commissioners
Tuesday evening was brief and routine.

In his Commissioners’ Comment, New Chairman Cliff Lane
recognized outgoing chair John Egbert for a “superb job” during his
16 months in the position, saying that he had “successfully led us
through many challenging issues,” and that he was owed gratitude
and continuing support.

Under an agreement, this group of commissioners announced when
they took office almost three years ago, each would serve as chair
during one-third of their four-year term.

Lane, the only Democrat, will have the position during the final
trimester.

During the half-hour session, the board approved an agreement
with Northwest Saving Bank to act as custodian of funds derived
from the sale of Sena-Kean Manor, and named Manning & Napier,
the firm that handles the county’s pension account, to manage the
investment of that money.

Chris Stovic objected that since the county has a financial
officer, no investment manager should be needed.

Commissioners noted that they had received requests from various
organizations totaling over $432,000 for funds from the sale of
timber from the Allegheny National Forest. The county expects to
receive about $255,000 next year, and commissioners said they would
identify which projects they intend to fund and announce them next
month.

Commissioner Bruce Burdick reported that the Comprehensive Plan
Oversight Committee had held its first meeting and had discussed
data, issues and input gathered in workshops held around the
county.

Members of the committee, selected with an eye towards diversity
from among county leaders, also discussed ways of making sure the
plan turned out to be a practical and useful document, rather than
something that would end up on the shelf.

Burdick also noted that Gannet and Fleming, the county’s
consultant on the plan, had completed an overlay map of the county
that would be used to identify the locations of a number of
things.

Bill Belitskus complained that none of the committee members
were “environmentalists,” but Burdick answered that there were many
members concerned about the environment and much of the meeting had
been taken up with discussion about watershed protection and
possible setting aside of specific properties for conservation
concerns.

Belitskus also asked commissioners to provide reports to the
public on their participation in outside boards, such as North
Central Regional Planning, upon which they sit or attend.

Egbert noted that most such meetings are public and are reported
in newspapers.

Commissioners noted that income limits for eligibility in the
state’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program have been
expanded and urged residents to get applications as soon as
possible at the County Assistance Office, the Agency for the Aging,
utility companies, and community service agencies. The program will
help pay home heating fuel costs for “a variety of … fuel
costs.

Under the new limits, a family of four with an income of $30,000
can be eligible for assistance, commissioners noted.

They also handed out information on the “Pennsylvania taxpayer
Relief Act,” which allows school districts to find sources of
revenue other than from property taxes.

Commissioners noted that the act applies only to school
districts, and not to counties or municipalities. Their handout
included a plea that taxpayers write to legislators demanding that
taxing options be offered to counties as well, and that the entire
tax structure be made less dependent on property taxes.

Entering into an agreement with Warren Fence Co. to erect
perimeter fencing around the alternate 911 Emergency Center in East
Smethport was authorized, The fence will cost $7675.

An agreement with the North Central Workforce Investment Board
to have McKean County Juvenile Probation provide services to
eligible youth in a Youth Consortium with several other
counties.

Agreement with a number of human services providers were also
authorized.

In several appointments and re-appointments, Ernest R. Hand was
named to the Conservation District to complete the unexpired term
of William Getz and James Tarasovitch was appointed to fill the
seat on the Solid Waste Authority vacated when Fred Blackburn moved
out of the area.

David Cornelius was reappointed to a three-year term on the
North Central Workforce Investment Board.

Earlier Tuesday, the Salary Board, which includes the
commissioners and several other county officials set salary ranges
for the director of mental health and the director of mental
retardation at from $32,800 to $49,200.

The ranges were recommended by Human Services Director Charlotte
Chew-Sturm, who said the salaries are comparable with similar ones
around the state.

The Mental Health position is presently vacant due to the
retirement of Jim Gelston; it is expected to be filled soon.

Ranges of from $28,000 to $42,000 for CASSP Caseworker II and
$29,600 to $44,400 for Caseworker III were also approved.