SMETHPORT — The McKean County Commissioners adopted a resolution Monday requesting a grant for $250,000 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for a McKean County Baseline Groundwater Quality from Domestic Water Supply Wells Study.
Established as an independent authority in 2004 in the Department of Community and Economic Development, the CFA administers the state’s economic development packages.
Commissioners approved two requests for tax exempt status because they are owned by a non-profit organization. Both are in Kane’s second ward and owned by the Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise. The .01- acre parcel is located on North Fraley Street, while the .83-acre property is at Greeves and Clay streets.
Three invoices were approved for payment. The Area Transportation Authority will receive $18,529.75, which represents a portion of their budget allocation for April 2018 through June 2018. A payment of $6,250, representing the third quarter allotment for the 2017-18 fiscal year will go the Office of Human Services. The county will get $5,457, payment for administrative costs for the Liquid Fuel Fund as shown on the 2016 Cost Allocation Report-Liquid Fuel Fund.
Commissioners proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This proclamation recognizes that child abuse can be prevented by partnerships of parents, friends, families, neighbors, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, community and public agencies, law enforcement, medical professionals and businesses, along with partnerships aimed at supporting families in raising their children.
April 15-21 will be observed as Conservation District Week in the county according to another approved proclamation. Conservation districts, local units of government established under state law in 1945 in response to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s to manage natural resource management programs, work with landowners, private organizations, businesses and local governments to assist them in managing and protecting land and water resources on private and public lands.
In a report to the commissioners, Andrew Johnson, who heads the county’s emergency services director as head of the 911 Center and director of the county’s Emergency Management Agency, noted that this week marks the annual National Public Safety Telecommunications Week that recognizes emergency dispatchers for their service and commitment to the profession.
“Emergency dispatchers are the lifeline for the public and serve as the one link between those in emergency need and the police, fire and Emergency Medical Services who respond to help,” Johnson said. “Not merely answering a call and dispatching someone to help, dispatchers also provide the life-saving instructions to those who can’t wait for others to arrive. By giving instructions on how to perform CPR, use an AED, save a drowning victim or how to remove yourself from a sinking car before it fills with water, how to deliver a baby who won’t wait for an ambulance or delivery room, and so much more, emergency dispatchers are truly the first, first responders.”
Johnson also referred to the stress involved with this job. “While we have always known that turn-over among the emergency dispatchers is extremely high, new studies have begun to give us some insight into why that is. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is as prevalent among dispatchers as it is among police, fire and EMS personnel, and it’s only now beginning to be studied in a way that will show just how common it is.”
Johnson then recognized the county’s dispatchers. They are Craig Simons, Richard Grandinetti, Robert Roulo, James Heffner, Joel Gilfert, Lisa Nichols, Joshua Rettger, Nathan Burgett, Zachary Holt, Stephanie Scrivo, Kyle Day, Carl English and Travis Moshier.
“Your commitment to your profession is appreciated,” Johnson said.
