SMETHPORT — St. Marys contractor CDMS was awarded a contract for
replacement of the courthouse front steps, the McKean County
Commissioners decided at their meeting Tuesday.
The company’s bid was $37,514, to replace the current concrete
steps with sandstone. Although only a few years old, the wide
expanse of concrete steps had crumbled in many areas. Currently,
all but a reasonably intact middle section has been fenced off by
railings.
Other bidders were Carl E. Swanson and Bob Cummins, both of
Bradford, with quotes of $69,000 and $$48,268, respectively.
CDMS also bid $2,471 on an alternate, to replace the head ends
on the steps, if it turns out that they are too damaged in the
course of the project to be retained.
Another contract the commissioners approved was for installing
air conditioning in the Small Courtroom. Highlander Engineering of
Kane was low bidder at $16,865, besting Johnson Control of Erie,
whose quote was $24,348.
Maintenance Supervisor Ken Bush attended the session and
reviewed the quotes for conformity to specifications, after the
bids were opened. Of the contract sums, he commented, “Both come
under what I had anticipated.”
Both projects are expected to get under way immediately. The
steps could be completed in a week or so, Bush said. Responding to
a query from Commissioner Al Pingie, Bush said it may be possible
to “recycle” some of the current steps or material from them for
use in other projects.
The commissioners also approved Norwich Township’s county aid
application in the amount of $2,891, to be used to purchase pipes
and bands for a repair project.
Bids for provision of a SUV for Juvenile Probation had been
opened earlier. Zook Motors of Kane was identified as low bidder of
two, with a price of $22,686.25 for a 2010 Explorer.
Bradford Fairway Sales & Leasing had bid $25,600 to furnish
a 2010 Dodge Journey SXT. Both bids applied to seven-passenger
vehicles.
The commissioners approved the 2010 Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) program for McKean County, and then a CDBG program for
Kane Borough.
A resolution concerning the latter pointed out that Kane is
classified as being “entitled” to CDBG funding, this time in the
amount of $105,379.
Specific programs to be funded through Kane’s CDBG were listed
as spot demolition (slums and blight) for $25,000, Evergreen Park
electric and lighting for $15,000, and creative playground
replacement at the same park for $46,411.
It was noted that it had been determined that the projects met
criteria concerning low- and middle-income income (LMI) households,
which comprise 56.14 percent of the target population.
Kane’s three-year plan for the CDBG projects was approved. A
similar plan for the county as a whole was adopted as well.
The commissioners also approved 10 other CDBG projects totaling
$217,615: Otto Township, $24,621, for fire hose, and $15,926 for
park improvements, based on 51.11 percent LMI; Lafayette Township,
$15,000, for a handicapped accessible restroom in the municipal
building, 100 percent LMI;
also, Hamilton Township, $9,019, Wildcat Park Charles Evans
Pavilion drainage, walkway and parking lot, 54.95 percent LMI;
Sergeant Township, $55,257, Clermont fire department rescue vehicle
chassis, 54.95 percent LMI;
also, Foster Township, $24,922, Riley Road and Foster View Drive
paving and parking improvement plan, 100 percent LMI, along with
$15,000, Rew fire department, thermal imaging camera, 54.35 percent
LMI;
also, Eldred Township, $30,599, fire department emergency backup
generator, 51.76 percent LMI; Norwich Township, $19,557, Norwich
Township Park playground system, 53.3 percent LMI; and Smethport
Borough. $13,644, Smethport Senior Center building improvements,
100 percent LMI.
The McKean County Redevelopment Authority apply to the
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, for
the funding for the 19 non-entitlement municipalities and Kane.
The commissioners also approved fair housing policy,
displacement policy and grantee statement of goals policy
resolutions, generally renewals of policies that had been enacted
in other years but which must be affirmed or updated from time to
time.
Commissioner Chairman Joe DeMott said there are checks to be
distributed to the senior centers in the county: $8,000 for each
center. By tradition, each is hand-delivered by a commissioner.
They expect to do this within a few days.
Also getting a county grant is the McKean County Fair
Association, which will receive $10,000. Commissioner Judith Church
said this is the first time the county has granted funds for the
fair, but the association had urgent need because all county fair
funds had been cut from the state budget for the current fiscal
period.
Pingie and Bush discussed the need for sealant to be applied to
concrete at the courthouse. Bush said recommendations are that
sealant be applied every three years. The new sandstone steps will
not be sealed, he emphasized.
