SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners approved a resolution Tuesday for county real estate tax exemptions for surviving spouses of service members killed in action.
According to the resolution, if a service member is killed in action during war or killed in the line of duty while on active duty, the state legislature does not allow for the surviving spouse to qualify for real estate tax exemption.
The resolution continues, adding, “McKean County wishes to extend this tax exemption process to the surviving spouses of active duty members, including those in the Reserves and the National Guard killed in the line of duty.”
Chief Assessor Angie Tennies said eligibility applications are available at the county veteran affairs office and then are forwarded to her office.
Commission Chairman Thomas Kreiner noted this exemption is only for the spouse, and terminates when that person dies.
Also gaining the OK were two resolutions with Moose Ventures LLC. One was for the project site at 319-321 Chase Street in Kane, owned by that company, in the amount of $7,673.25. The second one was for the McKean County Act 152 Private Landowner Demolition Grant Lien Agreement between the county and Moose Ventures as grant recipient for a sum of $7,673.25.
This project involves the demolition of a blighted building.
The total project cost is $10,231, with the county providing the grant and the property owner providing the required 25 percent match of $2,557.25
In other business, commissioners approved a vape free work policy; voting machine inspectors to serve during the municipal election on Nov. 2, 2021; the 2022 holiday calendar for county employees; and county aid application for Sergeant Township in the amount of $980 for winter road mix.
The commissioners proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the county.
Commissioner Carol Duffy read the proclamation that recognizes domestic violence as an ongoing serious concern within our communities at all times, and particularly during the recent isolation and stressors created from the impact of COVID-19.
