By SARA FURLONG

s.furlong@bradfordera.com

SMETHPORT – It’s National Volunteer Month in the United States, and McKean County Commissioners took a moment during their regular meeting Tuesday to recognize those community contributors.

‘We are honoring all volunteers throughout our community,’ said Commissioner Chairman Tom Kreiner, ‘and encouraging more to volunteer — with volunteer fire departments, ambulance services and community organizations throughout where we live.

‘If you have the chance, consider volunteering.’

Kreiner also noted that the Eldred Area Free

Volunteers… page A-8

April is National Volunteer Month and McKean County Commissioners took a moment to recognize local contributors.

Instagram photo Library had not received an invitation to the previous meeting, when McKean County’s library directors were present for commissioners to proclaim April 6 to 12 National Library Week.

“We wanted to make sure the Eldred library is included in our salute to all public libraries,” Kreiner said.

Also at the April 8 meeting, commissioners had tabled the approval of a radio system maintenance agreement. They took up the matter again Tuesday, approving the agreement with Capital Area Communications through Dec. 31.

McKean County Department of Emergency Services Director Nathan Burgett explained the partnership provides for the upkeep of analog radio infrastructure throughout the county, including paging, radio bases and microwave connectivity.

In new business, commissioners authorized the Tax Claim Bureau to recapture county tax on three Keystone Opportunity Zone parcels for 2024, and a $21,750 project by the McKean County Conservation District.

Adam Causer, watershed specialist, explained that there is a broken 24-inch culvert pipe behind the district office on Route 6 in Smethport that causes the field to flood during heavy rain. Added to stormwater runoff from the county complex, it is causing a sedimentation issue in Marvin Creek.

“We will replace that pipe with plastic, stabilize the outfall and rework a stream crossing to collect all the stormwater before it gets back into the stream — eliminating any and all sedimentation from that field,” Causer said.

Commissioner Carol Duffy said, “Thank you to those who recognized this was an issue. We appreciate being made aware so we can make the funds available.”

A service addendum to the county’s master consulting service agreement with CobraHelp, a third-party provider of compliance with and administration of continuation of insurance benefits.

Commissioners also approved a service agreement with Maximus US Services Inc. for cost allocation plans — ensuring expenses are properly allocated across various county services — for 2024-26.

The repository sale of 348 Main St. in Hazel Hurst to James and Linda Myers for $255 was approved.

Commissioners also passed an agreement for part-time use of the Erie County forensic pathologist, including a $5,000 retainer for the period Jan. 1, 2025, through Dec. 31, 2026.

McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer inquired whether the cost included autopsies and, if not, which office bears the cost.

Kreiner explained that autopsies are a separate cost on top of the retainer and that the cost should be paid for by the office requesting the service, whether the coroner’s or district attorney’s.

Shaffer then had a question about a previously received invoice that commissioners said would be investigated and resolved as appropriate.

To conclude the meeting, Department of Human Services agreements were renewed for early intervention with E. Wachter Early Intervention Services and The Guidance Center, as well as two resource family (foster care) renewals.

Commissioners will meet again at 10 a.m. May 13.