SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners authorized the county Thursday to apply for a Baseline Groundwater Quality Data Grant of $250,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for conducting monitoring and reporting baseline groundwater quality results in the county.
Additionally, this grant amount will also include a $75,000 match from the U. S. Geological Survey for a total project cost of $325,000.
According to the applicant, Al Pingie, chairman of the county commissioners, and Cliff Lane, vice-chairman, have been designated as the officials to execute all documents and agreements between the county and the CFA, which was established as an independent agency in the Department of Community and Economic Development with the responsibility of administering the state’s economic stimulus packages.
Another approved resolution authorizes the county to enter into an agreement with the DCED for the Community Development Block Grant Program in the amount of $333,635 for the period March 21, through March 20, 2023.
The county will also enter a Savin maintenance and service contract with the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Institute for the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification.
In other business, commissioners approved a refund for overpayment of property taxes to Kerry Snow.
The county also accepted an offer of $1,000 from Angela Clouser for purchasing property from the McKean County repository for unsold property. Lane, who conducted the meeting, and fellow commissioner, Carol Duffy, also OKd four proclamations.
Lane read those proclaiming May 5-11 as Conservation District Week 2019 and May 2 as National Day of Prayer in the county.
The McKean County Conservation District, like those in 65 other Pennsylvania counties were established in 1945 and work with many partners, including governmental agencies, private organizations, businesses and others to accomplish their mission of supporting and helping landowners to conserve natural resources.
Congress has set aside the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer as a way for the nation’s citizens to observe a day to give thanks for our blessings.
Duffy read the proclamations for National Dispatcher Week and National Library Week.
During National Dispatcher Week, April 14-20, the public is urged to recognize the skilled and professionally-trained 9-1-1 communication experts who serve fire, police and emergency services and whose professional diligence helps maintain the safety of our county, its residents and those who travel in our communities.
The proclamation specifically recognizes the county dispatchers: Kyle Day, Carl English, Joel Gilfert, Richard Grandinetti, James Heffner, Zachary Holt, Michael Maze, Mandy McCann, Travis Moshier, Lisa Nichols, Joshua Rettger, Robert Ruolo, Stephanie Scrivo and Craig Simons.
Tracy Carl, the county’s new director of emergency services, who began his duties on April 8, was introduced. In his brief comments, Carl mentioned the efforts underway to have emergency dispatchers reclassified as first responders due to their job responsibilities.
Two dispatchers also attended the meeting.
The commissioners will meet again in public session at 10 a.m. May 14 at the courthouse.
