County lends support to FC affordable housing project

BY STACI WILSON

The development of affordable housing in Forest City has the support of both its borough council and the county commissioners.

At the Aug. 13 commissioners’ meeting, the county authorized the Susquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authority to apply for Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement (PHARE) funds, for the development of the Kartri site in Forest City.

PHARE is funded through the natural gas drilling impact fees. Act 13 dollars are specifically allocated at the state level to address the need for affordable housing in areas where the Marcellus Shale is being developed in Pennsylvania.

Last year, Susquehanna County received PHARE allocations of over $1 million. Of those funds, $150,000 was allocated for rental assistance; while $700,000 was allocated for senior housing in New Milford; and $300,000 went to the Neighborhood Stabilization program.

The commissioners authorized Trehab to manage the PHARE acquisition and rental assistance programs for the county.

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) is seeking proposals from the PHARE Fund. Trehab is preparing a proposal on behalf of Susquehanna County to apply for $100,000 to be used for rental and utility assistance to residents on a need-based basis.

Susquehanna County will soon have a remote river gauge installed in the Great Bend-Hallstead area. The county is using Act 13 funds to pay for the $12,700 cost.

River gauge funding had been allocated at the federal level, but those earmarks were done away with in 2010. The closest gauge to Susquehanna County is located in Conklin, N.Y.

Gauges in Pennsylvania were funded through the end of 2014, as were critical ones on the Susquehanna River in New York.

Audience member Vera Scroggins questioned how the county could justify using Act 13 money for the purchase of a flood gauge, saying that flooding was not connected to natural gas drilling.

Commissioner Alan Hall said the expenditure complies with Act 13 guidelines.

The commissioners are also seeking state grant funds for the county recycling program. The county is asking for $181,927 in funding for the recycling operations.

Commissioner Alan Hall said the county is still open for proposals in its effort to privatize the center.
Courthouse facility improvements continue. Snow guards will be installed over the new roof at the treasurer’s office at a cost of $660, and the gutters and down spouts on the annex roof will also be relined at a cost of $2,340. The projects will be paid for from the general fund.

The commissioners are also looking to replace 49 windows and three doors in the courthouse. Proposal specifications are available in the courthouse and are due by Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m.

The tax claim bureau was exonerated from collecting delinquent taxes on a trailer on Forest Lake Twp. on S&B Demarest land, assessed at $1,500. The trailer was deleted by the assessment office July 26 as demolished. Total amount of delinquent taxes exonerated was $117.05.

The commissioners also tackled a number of personnel matters at the meeting.

The commissioners acknowledge the hiring of John Colton by Sheriff Lance Benedict to a Deputy Sheriff position.

Several deputy positions in the Prothonotary/Clerk of Court office, Treasurer’s office, and the Register/Recorder’s office were changed from an hourly pay rate to salary, effective Aug. 21.

911 Coordinator Art Donato will be taking on more duties with his appointment to the Assistant Director Public Safety/911 Coordinator. The position was created by the salary board in its meeting Aug. 13.