The Potter County Conservation District (PCCD) recently received the 2018 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for a water quality and habitat restoration project that greatly improved conditions on a local stream.

The award was submitted based upon a project titled “Water Quality Protection and Education: Ludington Run and Beyond” that was aimed at controlling runoff from roadways and agricultural operations, improving fish spawning and habitat areas, streambank stabilization and decreasing thermal pollution.

“We now have this headwater stream restored and it will be preserved for the future,” said Commissioner Paul Heimel. “This is quite an achievement for Potter County. There are a lot of dedicated people out here.”

This is the second such award received in Potter County, with the Triple Divide Watershed Coalition, the first organization of public water suppliers in the state, earning the award in 2010.

PCCD Manager Jason Childs and Dirt/Gravel/Low-Volume Roads Specialist Alex Veto accepted the award on behalf of PCCD and the county in Harrisburg earlier this week.

Commissioners approved pursuing a tax settlement agreement on the former Adelphia Operations Building. Currently, the property is owned by the Potter County Redevelopment Authority, but there is an interested buyer. However, disputes have arisen over the assessment value, and therefore the local taxes to be paid, on the property.

A judge has indicated that the two sides should attempt to work out a settlement agreement. Commissioners stated that they are interested in getting the property into private hands and back on the tax rolls, but they also do not want the taxes to adversely affect budding businesses that need revenue in order to pay those taxes.

Commissioners indicated that it is likely the agreement will assess the building at the higher amount—over $3 million—but that the tax payments will be structured over the next eight years. In the first year, 12.5 percent is expected, but by the eighth year, the new owners will pay the full tax bill.

Any settlement would have to be agreed to by all three taxing bodies—the Coudersport School District, Coudersport Borough and the county.

Commissioners approved two resolutions during the meeting. The Shinglehouse Borough Voting District location was reestablished in Resolution #1 of 2018. Borough residents will now vote at the new Oswayo Valley Senior Center located at 128 Lyons St. in Shinglehouse.

Resolution #2 of 2018 appointed Todd Brown as tax auctioneer for this year’s judicial sale activities. Brown has served for several years in this capacity at no cost to the county.

Two proclamations were made.

The first names the week of April 29 through May 5 as Senior Corps Week. The month of May is nationally recognized as Older Americans Month, and this week is reserved to recognize volunteers working through three Senior Corps programs—Foster Grandparents, Senor Companions and RSVP.

Senior Corps volunteers currently serve with more than 28,000 nonprofit, community, educational or faith-based groups across the country, providing more than 74.6 million hours of service last year. More than 245,000 Americans age 55 and over served, with about 45 Potter County residents participating in the program since it was established here in late 2017.

In Potter County, volunteers working with Senior Corps donate their time to Habitat for Humanity, A Way Out, Meals on Wheels, the local Food Bank and other charities, and opportunities are likely to expand as more volunteers and organizations hear about the program. A number of local volunteers attended the meeting to support the proclamation.

The month of May was also recognized as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, part of an effort to raise awareness to the beginning of the motorcycle-riding season.

Several members of the God’s Country Chapter of A.B.A.T.E. Pennsylvania attended the meeting, emphasizing the need for caution, especially this time of year as bikes are just now re-emerging from winter storage.

The local ABATE chapter was almost disbanded in recent years, but a number of motivated volunteers are sparking new life into the organization, and a number of events are planned for the coming months.

Leroy White, Sara Gilliland, Eugene Supplee, Bart Ianson and Jim Lane were reappointed to the Potter County Farmland Preservation Board through January 2021. Gilliland was appointed as board chairman for 2018.

A service agreement was approved with J.C. Ehrlich/Rentokil for pest prevention services at the district magistrate office in Galeton at an initial cost of $495, then a rate of $43 per month.

Commissioners approved the inhouse employment transfer of Vicki Flewellyn, multi-function clerk, to the vacant position of administrative assistant in the public defender’s office.

The resignation of Colby Babcock from his position as a part-time corrections officer at the Potter County Jail was acknowledged.

The next meeting of the Potter County Commissioners will be held at 11 a.m. May 10 at the Gunzburger Building in Coudersport.