SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to support the Department of Economic Development in submitting applications for grant money from the Appalachian Regional Commission for Lewis Run to support job creation and job retention by making improvements to the existing Main Street in that borough.

As part of the successful resolution, the commissioners will commit up to $50,000 in 2017 and up to the same amount in 2018

In another vote, the commissioners authorized the filing of a HOME application for obtaining funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for a $500,000 housing rehabilitation program in Kane Borough and favors the McKean County Redevelopment Authority to administer this money on the county’s behalf.

Gay DeGolier, community development coordinator for the redevelopment authority, attended the meeting and said $470,000 of that amount will assist low to moderate income homeowners with bringing their homes up to DCED rehabilitation guidelines. Six percent, or $30,000 will be used for administrative fees.

Low to moderate income living along state routes will receive preference. All other grants will be given according to income and need.

Those income guidelines are as follows: one person households, up to $31,500; two-person households, up to $36,000; three person-households, up to $40,500; four-person households, up to $44,950; five-person households, up to $48,550; and six-person households, up to $52.150.Dollar amounts increase from there.

The commissioners also OK’d a resolution marking March 5-11 as Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in the county.

According to the resolution, “the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter reports that in our state more than 23,000 people are living with MS, and that the disease generally strikes people in the prime of life, between ages 20 through 50, and the cause and course of the often debilitating symptoms of MS remain unknown and no cure currently exists.”

Also gaining approval were three requests for tax exemption status for 2017. These were a 3.20-acre parcel along Route 446 in Keating Township and owned by that municipality; .10-acres at 10 Tibbetts Ave., Bradford City, Second Ward, and owned by the YWCA Bradford; and .13 acres at 16 Tibbetts Ave. in Bradford City’s Second Ward, also owned by the Bradford YWCA Bradford.

Additionally, the commissioners approved  a resource family contract with Randy and Roxanne White of Bradford.  

A county resident who wished to remain anonymous mentioned numerous concerns to the commissioners. First, this person spoke about changing the current three-year period for paying delinquent taxes to two years.

Citing the state budget, this person referred to a local tax increase if state police provide protection to some municipalities.

Commissioner chairman Al Pingie said the county has not become involved in the issue of state police providing coverage to municipalities.

Another question was about expenditures for solicitors in the county’s budget. Pingie said Dan Hartle is the commissioners’ solicitor, but each of the county’s line offices has their solicitors.

Much of the cost for solicitors has come from Children and Youth Services and criminal defense, it was noted.

The resident also questioned the $7.50 cost of three-ring binders containing county tax documents.

Responding to this question, Chief Assessor Angie Tennies said the binders contain tax statements, which are prepared by an outside company. By law, the county is to provide duplicate per capita and real estate tax bills: one goes to the tax collector and the other is sent to the municipality, Tennies said.

“So that $7.50 expenditures for more than just the binder, such as collating and sorting,” Tennies said.  

The resident also questioned the reason for holding commissioner meetings in the morning, suggesting attendance could be better at a meeting later in the day.

Commissioner Cliff Lane said the commissioners have tried holding meetings later in the day, but there was not a significant increase in attendance.

When the resident spoke against sewer regulations thwarting development, Hartle replied, saying, “Contact your state legislator to change the law. The sewage enforcement officer is only enforcing state laws.”

Still another question from the resident referred to the fire and emergency services classes that could be added to the curriculum at the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center in Port Allegany.

Leaders of this proposal have requested that municipalities commit $2,000 annually for five years in support of the program, which is seen as a way to help solve the problem of dwindling number of volunteers joining emergency services.

‘Where does the county stand on this?” the resident asked.

“We’re in full support with it, although the county has yet to commit money to it,” replied Pingie.

The county commissioners’ next meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 28.