SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners agreed Tuesday to apply for a Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant of $235,204 from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for sidewalk crosswalk, parking and roadway improvements to a section of West King Street between Church and State streets in Smethport.

This grant program, which is 100 percent funded, focuses on projects that provide safety benefits, job creation and sustainability. With this funding, the county, with cooperation and assistance from Smethport Borough, will, as part of the work, undertake the pedestrian safety improvements to the sidewalk in back of the courthouse, that is part of Smethport’s Mansion District Walking Tour and adjacent to the Old Jail Museum, said Bob Veilleux, county economic development director, who attended the meeting. “In some cases, the sidewalk has sunk five inches,” Veilleux said.

In another positive vote, commissioners authorized the filing of a Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement application in the amount of $75,000 to be appropriated to Bradford City’s Office of Economic and Community Development.

Also gaining approval was Sergeant Township’s application for municipal liquid fuels county aid amounting to $998.63 to be used for winter road sand and salt mix.

In another vote, commissioners OKd the CrimeWatch Network deployment agreement for the sheriff’s office for a one-year contract at an annual fee of $1,753.50 and a renewal cost of $1,303.50 to provide an intelligence network that links disparate criminal justice agencies, the media, private business and the public.

Commissioner Chairman Thomas Kreiner mentioned the following new county employees: Dorothy Knight, Domestic Relations enforcement officer: Linda Nelson, DRO enforcement officer; Stephanie Crozier, full-time 9-11 dispatcher; and Brett Perry and Nathan Jekel, part-time correctional officers at the jail.

Leaves/changes of service were approved for Alyssa McGrew, second deputy controller; Harley Peterson, correctional officer at the jail; Bonnie Dickinson DRO establishment officer; and Nicolette Kellogg, adult probation officer.

In other business, commissioners approved:

*the lease renewal agreement with Christian and Carol Howard for the Children’s Advocacy Center, 424 West Main Street, Smethport, for $1,200 per month from Nov. 1, 2020, to Oct. 31, 2021;

*the machine inspectors to serve for the 2020 General Election on November 2020;

*the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission ENGAGE Performance Incentive agreement for $3,750 program grant contract; and

* the NCPRP&DC Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance Cosy Reimbursement agreement amounting to $3,520.