SMETHPORT — Smethport Borough Council voted Monday to seek bids for the annual Clean-up Week, slated for May 8-12
Bids are to be opened at council’s April 3 meeting.
During the public portion of the agenda, council heard a request from Eve McAnallen for a temporary variance from “residential” to “commercial” status for the Old Blackberry Inn in the town’s Mansion District until a “commercial” status is granted.
McAnallen said she and her husband bought the property, which is the site of the Blackberry Inn in 2012, and are seeking this variance since they can host a Bed and Breakfast on their property on West Main Street. The couple asked to have the variance by April 1 since they have an opportunity from April to August for long-term hosting a four-person team from the Larson Group, who will be in the area working on infrastructure projects in McKean County.
Speaking on behalf of the McAnallens’ request was Claudia Caminite of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, who mentioned the economic impact of tourism in McKean County. While tourism brings in $174.8 million annually to McKean County, which has 680 rooms, only 29 of them are in Smethport.
“The goal of the ANFVB,” Caminite said, “is to increase the number of visitors, to increase their stays and increase the tourism dollars.”
Caminite said Smethport and Mount Jewett, both on U.S. Route 6, are the closest towns to Kinzua Bridge State Park, and visitors would greatly benefit Smethport. “Please do whatever you can to help Eve,” she remarked to council.
Council president Greg Rounsville told McAnallen that while this request would have to come before the borough’s zoning hearing board, he did refer her to the borough’s code enforcement officer, Kyle Day, who also attended the meeting.
Day said he would discuss the matter with borough solicitor Erik Ross.
In other news, former councilman Fella Wright, after citing traffic conditions on some narrow side streets, said it might be time to again revisit the possibility of establishing one-way streets.
Council also approved several purchases. One is for a new chipper for $35,820, with funding to shared by the electric, liquid fuels and capital reserve accounts. The borough’s current chipper can be sold.
Council also agreed unanimously to contribute $12,000 to the Memorial Recreation Center, the borough’s swimming pool. During discussion of the matter, council members noted the work of the center’s dedicated volunteers who are raising money for a filter and necessary repairs.
Also approved for purchase were four LED lights for the borough electric department trucks and a pre-owned motor for a backhoe for $4,000.
