Commissioners vote 2-1 on paving/By Martha Knight

SMETHPORT—Taylor and Armstrong was the low bidder of two, and will pave three parking areas at county properties along Route 6, following to a rare two-to-one vote at the McKean County Commissioners’ meeting Tuesday morning.

Commissioner chair Joe DeMott and Commissioner Al Pingie debated the issue of paving (black-topping) with Commissioner Cliff Lane, prior to the vote.

Lane expressed a preference for creating additional parking space for employees by  grading the area, then putting down and compacting gravel, rather than applying an impermeable surface. “I am coming from my Conservation background,” he said. Lane has long been active in Extension and Conservation activities.

Pingie mentioned his own experience in construction, and said that gravel gets pushed aside in the course of snowplowing, with much of it getting pushed to edges of the area and having to be retrieved redistributed periodically.

Lane countered by saying snowplow blades can be adjusted or changed to keep above the gravel surface and leave it in place. He also mentioned that he is opposed to “paving the world,” preferring to have permeable surfaces used on the ground where possible.

DeMott said the new parking areas are needed, and the projects have been discussed and postponed over the past while. “I think it’s time.”

All three agreed that creating employee parking areas is desirable, and will free up more space for public or client parking.

Pingie moved for approval of a contract with Taylor and Armstrong, of Eldred, with DeMott seconding. All three held to their positions.

Taylor and Armstrong’s offer on the three areas came to $46,908. IA Construction’s total was $79,760.

The areas to be paved are behind the Children and Youth Services and 911 Center (Emergency Management) buildings, behind the CYS Annex (former Bowman Health Center) building, and at Barn No. 3.

DeMott noted that “they make us jump through all the hoops” that private sector owners or developers would have to, in complying with stormwater management regulations. The paving projects will not cause stormwater to run off onto adjoining properties owned by others or disrupt natural drainage unacceptably.

Paul Meissner, building maintenance supervisor, will review the bids before contracts are awarded.

Another pair of bids was opened, these for the purchase of two trucks that had been used by the county Emergency Management Agency (EMA). The bidders had not specified which of two trucks, of the same year and model, each was bidding on.

Solicitor Dan Hartle advised the commissioners to table the matter so as to clarify the intentions of the bidders. It would be possible to award one of the trucks to each bidder, he said, but the higher bidder might have a preference.

The commissioners voted to enter into a frequency relocation agreement with AT&T Mobility LLC, subject to review by Hartle. DeMott explained that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will begin enforcing new frequency assignments for the kinds of uses involved, in 2017, but the carriers are anxious to achieve implementation earlier, and are willing to supply the new communications equipment that will be necessary. Agreements with carriers will save the county “about half a million,” DeMott said.

Also approved, subject to Hartle’s review, was an agreement relating to the performance grant to the county EMA.

Nine service provider agreements were approved as requested by the Human Services Department.

An invoice from Wetmore Township for $6,165 was approved. It will pay for a completed project using liquid fuel tax funds.

Sergeant Township’s county aid application for $1,112 was approved.

Director of Elections Judy Ordiway served as clerk for the meeting, in her other role of Deputy Chief Clerk. Chief Clerk Audrey Irons is on vacation. DeMott handled the bid openings.