SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to award $20,627.17 of the county’s Act 13 funding to the Kinzua Valley Trail Club.

In 2012, Act 13 created the Marcellus Legacy Fund, which provides for distributing unconventional gas well impact fees to counties, municipalities and state agencies. According to this statute, projects that involve development, rehabilitation and improvements to public parks, recreational areas, greenways, trails and river conservation.

The Kinzua Valley Trail Club has the goal of developing a non-motorized trail from the Kinzua Bridge State Park to the Red Bridge area of the Allegheny National Forest.

Club board members Greg Davis and Mike Angelo attended the meeting. Following the commissioners’ unanimous vote, Commissioner Cliff Lane asked them how this money would be spent.

The funding, they said. will be used for trail development. The club is also preparing a grant application seeking $120,000 from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which would also be used for the same reason.

“Approximately one third of the 20-mile trail is done,” Davis said.

The 7-mile trail from Westline to the Red Bridge area is now finished.

 “The trail,” Angelo said, “will be used for hiking, biking and cross country skiing. A new section of the trail from Route 219 to Westline will have an equestrian trail.”

“We want to open the trail to as many uses as possible so it’s family-friendly and great for tourism,” Davis added.

Commissioners approved three additional resolutions and a proclamation.

One of the resolutions allows the county to enter an annual agreement with Erie County for part-time use of its forensic pathological services The retainer fee is $5,000.

Other resolutions see the county entering agreements with the Area Transportation Authority for administering the Medical Assistance Transportation Program for the county and authorizing the purchase of service agreements for the Department of Human Services with the Families United Network in Muncy.

A Resource Family Contract with Stanley and Bonnie Austin of Bradford was approved.

The commissioner have proclaimed March as Pennsylvania 811 Safe Digging Month in the county.

Commissioner Carol Duffy read the proclamation, which noted Pennsylvania’s One Call system, a utility service information center, which  marks its 45th anniversary of continuous service to the state is key to preventing injuries and damage while excavating.

This unique service provides easy, one-call notification about construction and excavation projects, which may endanger workers and jeopardize utility lines while promoting workplace and public safety, reducing underground utility damage, minimizing utility service interruptions and protecting the environment.

Smethport resident Jim Herzog attended the meeting and read a statement in

which he requested an answer to a question he had about Clean and Green. Speaking to the commissioners, Herzog said, “At your last meeting, I presented information on why Clean and Green values should be $94/acre for all McKean County forest properties. The lowest use value directed by Act 59 … is currently $94 and by law this should apply to all forest properties.”

Herzog cited four Commonwealth Court cases supporting his position. One decision said all taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of subjects. In another ruling, the court held that establishing a separate “use value” for each parcel would violate the statute and regulations, which require countywide uniformity, even where the county assessor establishes his own use value.

“As indicated at the last the last meeting,” Herzog said, “your Board of Assessment Appeals had already confirmed $94 is the correct use value. Please note, no one is permitted to violate the law or legal decision. I would appreciate information why the decision and law are not being followed. Can you tell me when it will be available?”

Commissioner Chairman Al Pingie asked for additional time, saying, “We haven’t had the opportunity to meet with Angie Tennies, the chief assessor, and our solicitor. We look to do that soon. We want to follow the law. Hopefully, we can bring something back  at the next meeting.”

Commissioners also approved the invoice for $996 from Sergeant Township, which represents the payment for the completed Liquid Fuel Project for 2016.