Commissioners award $34,473 stormwater demo contract / By Martha Knight

SMETHPORT—It took a second round of bidding, but the McKean County Commissioners were able to award a contract for a best stormwater practices demonstration project in time to salvage a grant that would have slipped away within days.

The bid opening and the contract award came at a special meeting last Wednesday morning. The sole bid was from Warner Brook Excavating, Smethport, in the amount of $34,473.30.

The demonstration project will be performed at the Route 6 McKean County Complex. Last month the first round of bidding drew two offers, but both bid packages were found to lack some required element and were rejected by the commissioners. Sandy Thompson, manager of the McKean County Conservation District, pointed out that grant availability would soon expire, so an immediate re-advertisement and a special meeting for bid opening were  decided upon, so as to salvage the project and its funding.

Real estate tax refunds were granted to 15 property owners as recommended by chief assessor Angelia Tennies.

Robert Baker will get $27.37 for this year after an appeal. Jeffrey and Pauline Bauer will be refunded $231.25 and $285.17. Robert and Mary Farnsworth Sr. will receive $234.49 because of a veteran’s exemption.

Others who will get refunds are Natalie Lindquist, $49.50; Jeffrey and Jayma Eastman, $118.48; Thomas and Grace Jones, $194.54 because of a veteran’s exemption;

also, David Gillespie, $40.79; Floyd Sturtevant, $23.21; Ronald Button, $28.37; William Hare, $148.39; Earl and Janice Stromberg, $381.28 due ro veteran’s exemption;

also Thomas Boylan, $451.77 and $20.44 on two appeals; and James and Connie Hamilton, $23.22 because of an assessment adjustment for corrected acreage for the years 2009 through 2012, and exoneration of taxes for 2013 and 2014.

Commissioner Al Pingie noted that Mr. Sturtevant is deceased, and Tennies said that his estate will receive the refund.

Commissioner chairman asked Tennies to describe the process for approval of veterans’ exemptions. She said that applications are fielded by Mathew Windsor, county director of Veterans’ Affairs who gathers information and sends it on to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, where the determination is made. The determination of eligibility is relayed back to Windsor.

Commissioners also approved a real estate exemption to the Kane Depot Preservation Society based on its nonprofit status.

An offer of $500 from the Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corp. was accepted for the former Moose Club building at 14 Pine Street, Bradford. The property was in the county repository for unsold property.

Tennies said that there had been another bid, from Lee Minter, in the amount of $1,000. But Bradford City and Bradford School District had accepted the lower bid instead. Tennies said taxing authorities may accept any bid or deny all.

Asked by Pingie whether the other taxing authorities had explained their decision to accept the lower bid, Tennies said they had not, nor are they required to provide a reason. She also mentioned that the IRS had agreed to waive the agency’s lien on the property, for either purchaser.

Tennies said that the purchase price will become the new assessment figure, but the Revitalization group will then apply for an exemption based on  its tax-exempt status.

Solicitor Dan Hartle asked Tennies to let him review the deed before she issues it.

A service proposal from Johnson Controls for the McKean County Jail was approved, also subject to Hartle’s review. Pingie mentioned that this is a one-year agreement, and the maintenance director will weigh in on the service contract when it is time for renewal or replacement.

Commissioners agreed to the terms of a grant of $7,565 from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency for the Hazardous materials Response Fund grant for the 2014-15 fiscal year. Pingie said this grant is made annually for EMA equipment.

Michele Alfieri-Causer was appointed to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services board for a three-year term.