Municipalities seek Act 13 share / By Martha Knight

SMETHPORT—Bradford Township commissioner Gayle Bauer and Bradford Mayor Tom Riel attended the McKean County Commissioners’ meeting last Tuesday morning to present separate pleas for generous shares of county-dispensed money.

Bauer asked what portion of Act 13 (Marcellus Shale impact fee) funds the county has budgeted for applications from municipalities in the 2015 budget.

Commissioner chairman Joe DeMott declined to give dollar amounts, but said, “It is not going to be as much as I had hoped because of the situation with the 911 tower.”

He referred to the ongoing project to replace the aging communications tower on Prospect Hill, which may cost around $450,000 by the time it is finished.

Commissioner Cliff Lane said that Act 13 funding to county and municipalities will increase as time goes on.

The commissioners discussed the application process used by municipalities, the way the county planning commission ranks the applications, and timing of those. The commissioners make the final decisions.

Riel pointed out that the county is expected to receive $437,000 in Act 13 funds, but “we’re getting $4,200,” referring to the city. DeMott suggested that because of the county’s needs for the tower repair project, municipalities would have to adjust their expectations. Bauer noted that Bradford Township has bridges with low weight limits, and needing immediate repair.

Also of concern to municipalities would be the rumored reduction in Liquid Fuels Fund money doled out to the municipalities by the county, for use on highway and bridge projects.

The commissioners denied that this would happen. Rather, DeMott said, “There could be more” funding for local highway work, if a $5 surcharge on vehicle registrations is approved.

Matt Marusiak and Cynthia Carrow of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPS) also presented a request to the commissioners, this one for a letter of support rather than funding. The nonprofit hopes to purchase the Clermont Tract, a  17,488-acre expanse of privately owned, managed forest in Norwich and Sergeant Townships.

There would be timber management in place for 35 years, under the purchase, and the tract would be forest “perpetually.”

DeMott estimated that the county would lose more than $33,000 a year in taxes, and the townships about $3,100 and the school districts nearly $60,000. Marusiak placed the revenue losses at closer to $22,000 a year to the county and $50,000 for the school districts, while he thought the townships might fare better.

DeMott, Lane and commissioner Al Pingie said the WPS does good work, but they could not lend support to the project. They pointed out that federal and state forest occupies much of the county as it is, and they believe there are ample places for outdoor recreation.

Northwest Savings Bank, Smethport, quoted the lowest interest rate, 1.19 percent, for a $3.5 million tax and revenue anticipation note. Four sealed quotations had been received. The commissioners voted unanimously to accept the offer from Northwest Savings.

The annual borrowing assists the county with cash flow during the early months of the year, when real estate tax payments do not keep up with expenditures. The note is expected to be repaid fairly early in the year.

A $28,333 upward change order requested by contractor Mazza Mechanical Services was approved by commissioners, in connection with the ongoing heating, ventilation and air conditioning project in the court house.

DeMott said the change was needed because there is an existing heating and cooling system too close to the edge of the roof. The change ord3er calls for moving some existing equipment and ductwork, along with electrical work, and added support and roof curbing.

Contract renewals with Ginny Eppley for janitorial services at the Conservation/Planning/Aging offices, for $200 biweekly, and with Roberta Faes for such services at the 911/EMA building and the CYS and CYS Extension buildings, for $500 biweekly, were approved.

Commissioners approved payments of $11,152 t0 Foster Township, $10,114 to Keating Township and $9,222 to Liberty Township, for completed highway projects.

Annin Township’s request for $5,994 in county aid was approved, for a future project.

Tax refunds were approved for James and Debbie Angood, $425.59; John Cox, $44.01; Kelly Jo Keller, $276.48; and Land Management System, Inc., $55.03. All had won appeals of their assessments, with reductions granted for the 2014 tax year.

Also approved was a veteran’s exemption for Kenneth and Judy Miles, resulting in a $120.11 refund for 2014.

The Area Transportation Authority (ATA) will receive $67,227 in county funding from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, commissioners agreed. It matches a state grant. The county makes quarterly payments.

Reappointed to one-year terms on the North Central Regional Planning and Development Commission (NCRP&D) board of directors were DeMott, Pingie, Robert Esch, Jeremy Morey, Dr. Livingston Alexander, Riel and Sara Andrews.

Reappointed to serve on the RCRP&D executive committee, also for one year, were DeMott and Esch. Reappointed to the NCRP&D Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Committee, for two years, were Erin Vasillo, Bob Veilleux, Andrews, Michael Roche and Morey.

Pingie was reappointed to the Office of Human services for one year.

Commissioners discussed the proposed 2015 county budget in response to press questions. DeMott said he would not vote for it in its present form. Action to adopt a budget and set tax rates will come December 23.

Commissioners denied three union grievances, referred to as Employee No. 1, Employee No. 2 and Employee No. 3.