Project grant app total increased by Liberty supervisors/By Martha Knight

LIBERTY VILLA—Liberty Township Supervisors changed a number from $1.5 million to $2,048,200, in its application for a PennWORKS grant for sewer and water line extensions into the Liberty Villa area.

Supervisors explained that more exact numbers have been developed concerning the project, prior to submission of the application for the 75 percent state funded program. Also, earlier numbers did not reflect Port Allegany Borough’s participation in the collaborative project, which would also help fund infrastructure work within the borough.

As host municipality, the township is lead agency in the grant application. Its contribution remains at $379,000, according to supervisor chairman Gary Turner.

The money will be borrowed only if grant application is successful. The loan would be repaid over time from user fees from water and sewer customers. The project would involve extending two miles each of municipal water and sewer lines south from the borough into Liberty Township.

The supervisors voted to approve hiring Al Vallone as a permanent employee, inasmuch as he has completed 90 days as a probationary one. Supervisor Chuck Safford abstained because of a family connection.

In a communication from McKean County Planning Director Debra Lunden, the supervisors were made aware of a program through which they might obtain box culverts, with funds provided for 80 percent of the cost.

Supervisors said that might be a good use for this year’s Act 13 Marcellus Shale impact fee funding. The amount is not yet known, but last year’s Act 13 funds came to about $22,000.

Supervisors adopted a resolution in favor of proposed legislation to amend the state prevailing wage law, exempting certain kinds of public works and raising from $25,000 to $100,000 the threshold amount of contracts covered by prevailing wage requirements.

The recent clean-up sponsored by the township was a success, supervisors said. It broke even, with participants’ fees about covering costs including advertising, and supervisors said they felt the service was appreciated, and clean-up days have helped reduce illegal dumping.

Neil and Debbie Shepard’s letter of thanks to the supervisors was read, with the couple praising the efforts and the results of the cleanup of an illegal dump near their home.

Turner mentioned the damage caused to some dirt road areas on Wildwood Drive, where emergency repairs had been needed after application of salt to the road months back, apparently by someone who was employed by the township at the time.

Better news came from engineers who notified the township that a pipeline company was going to do remedial work on Dexter Hollow Road.

Turner said Bemus Road and Cady Hollow bridges are due for deck repairs because previously the decks were not put on correctly. He recommended installing 2X6 boards on their sides for greater strength. Another suggestion was larch, for its natural resistance to rot and insect damage.

The crew will try to keep the bridges open during the repairs, or keep traffic interruptions to a minimum.