EMPORIUM — The Cameron County Commissioners on Thursday commended Driftwood Borough officials on upgrades to the water system and other improvements being made in operations.
Driftwood Mayor Joseph Williams presented an update to the commissioners recently on improvements to the water system, which have significantly increased efficiency.
“The mayor and council have accomplished many good things with the water system,” said Commissioner Jim Thomas. “They’ve come leaps and bounds in the last few years.”
Just repairing leaks in the system has increased efficiency, and will save money on operations for years to come. Usage has decreased from 80,000 gallons per day down to 14,000 gallons from fixing leaks alone.
Further improvements are necessary to complete renovations that have been much-needed for many decades to make the system safer and more reliable.
However, money is tight, and those measures are costly. The borough has revamped the water company’s billing system to ensure the system can begin to pay for itself. For improvements, grant funding has been, and continues to be, sought. Officials are currently working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to revise the funding formula used to determine resident income, requesting an exception that would allow seasonal residents’ income to be excluded, or its impact on the overall figures to be reduced.
“Driftwood officials should be congratulated for their efforts,” Thomas said. “They’re also working on other things they’ve noticed that could use improvement.”
In other news, the commissioners recently attended a meeting to address the deterioration of a section of levee in Shippen Township near Reid and Reed Auto. Commissioner Lori Reed said a number of agencies and organizations are working together to resolve the issues, including the county, Shippen Township and Mid-Cameron Authority and the Emporium Water Co., which both have lines running through the levee. The county is also looking to work with railroad companies that have offered in-kind services in exchange for future collaboration with local entities.
Meanwhile, the commissioners attended the opening of a safe that was located inside the Jasper Harris building when it was purchased by the county and slated for demolition. The safe has been stored at the Emporium Borough Maintenance Building since it was removed from Jasper Harris.
The safe was mostly filled with papers related to the operation of the clothing store formerly housed there, but also discovered were several pocket watches and similar items. No values have yet been ascertained for the items, and will not be until an appraiser is able to come and inspect them.
The 2015 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) contract was received, officially awarding funding of $204,409 to continue program operations in the county.
In other news, an increase in the 2016-17 child advocate fee (Guardian ad Litem) was approved on behalf of Children & Youth Services (CYS). The fee will increase from $50 to $75 per hour as is mandated by the state. The amount has not increased since 2005 and most other counties pay upwards of $100 per hour.
The Rotary Career Cruise for Cameron County and Austin Area ninth grade students was quite successful, according to Reed. The tour included stops at the courthouse, Embassy, Emporium Hardwoods, Andrews Farm and Sizerville State Park. Reed said the students were very respectful, courteous and attentive throughout the event.
Also, the commissioners announced education credits available through Gannon University and the Educational Consortium of the Upper Allegany (ECUA). High school students can take advantage of college courses that cost them only $33 per credit. Prices are higher for adults but still affordable. Information is available through the Elk and Cameron Community Education Council.
The annual Family Center Children’s Fair will be held at the Emporium Firehall from noon to 3 p.m. June 3.
Meanwhile, the Conservation District will celebrate 50 years of service to Cameron County this summer, and have planned an event for June 11 at Andrews Farm. Additional information will be available in the near future, and conservation employees are expected to attend the next commissioners meeting to discuss their plans.
The next commissioners meeting will be held at 10 a.m. June 2 at the courthouse in Emporium.
