EMPORIUM — Cameron County commissioners approved a number of payments from the Act 13 Marcellus Shale Legacy Fund Thursday during their regular meeting.
The biggest approval was granted to the Olkosky-Jessop American Legion Post #194 for anticipated repairs to the World War I Monument housed on the grounds of the Cameron County Courthouse.
The large, carved-stone memorial lists the names of all Cameron County men who fought in WWI, and is the biggest memorial in the county. Due to its size and poor condition, it was one of only two soldier memorials in the county that could not be moved to the Big Flag Memorial when it was opened.
Commissioners approved $25,000 in funding, to be held on to by the county until such a time as the additional funds needed for the project have been raised. The total cost of the project will be just over $100,000, and additional funds are currently being sought.
A funding application from Mountaineer Search and Rescue was approved, through the public safety impact fees category, in the amount of $3,500 for purchase of radio repeaters.
An expenditure was also approved to the Cameron County Ambulance Service (CCAS) from the public safety category in the amount of $1,750 to fund emergency management services (EMS) training and educational materials.
Commissioners Phil Jones and Lori Reed attended an EMS meeting in Port Allegany hosted by state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint. This is the second such meeting held locally to address funding and staffing issues being faced by ambulance companies, fire departments and other emergency services agencies, especially in rural areas.
Reed said that McKean County Commissioner Carol Duffy gave a presentation on the proposed emergency services training course that could be offered at the career and technology center. Municipalities from across the area are being asked to monetarily support the program while it gets up and running.
“Carol (Duffy) said, ‘We as a community must ultimately ask the question what happens when we dial 911 and no one comes.’ I just thought that really put this issue into perspective,” Reed said.
Jones added, “This meeting seemed a lot more positive than the first meeting that was held. Rep. Causer has a few bills that would help if they passed. You could see some hope this time.”
Cameron County was well-represented at the meeting. In addition to the commissioners, Bill Pennington from the ambulance service, EMA Director Kevin Johnson, Shippen Township Supervisor Bill Hopwood and Sam Olivett of the Emporium Volunteer Fire Department were all in attendance.
A bid was awarded for electrical upgrades at the Northern Tier Community Action Corp. (NTCAC) entered by Dave Kronenwetter in the amount of $45,000.
Mary Hornung was reappointed to the Zoning Hearing Board for a three-year term to run through Dec. 31, 2019. Donna Shaffer was also appointed to serve a three-year term through 2019.
A three-year generator maintenance contract was approved with Cummings Bridgeway LLC in the amount of $2,348.14 to run through October 2020.
A purchase of service agreement with the Children’s Center for Treatment and Education/Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems on behalf of Children & Youth Services.
The next meeting of the Cameron County Commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 6 at the courthouse in Emporium.
