Commissioners to consider USDA grant application

Funds to go towards new response vehicle in emergency department

LOCK HAVEN -- In its last work session for 2023, the Clinton County Board of Commissioners heard about a proposed United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant its department of emergency services is requesting to apply for.

Grants Administrator Kari Kepler and Emergency Services Director Jonathan Plessinger presented the board with information regarding the grant -- which would be put towards a new emergency response vehicle.

Plessinger said the grant would be used to purchase a replacement vehicle for its 2020 F-305. He noted the lease for the truck runs out in 2025.

"Basically what this vehicle does is responds to emergencies that include hazardous material, structure fires, vehicle accidents, mass casualty incidents," Plessinger said.

He added the vehicle will be properly equipped and set up to allow easy access to employees.

Kepler provided a breakdown for the grant, which Kepler said many fire companies within the county have been able to secure funding.

"The maximum amount you can get is $50,000," Kepler said, noting this is calculated based on the medium income of the municipality. Since the county is located within the City of Lock Haven, that puts them at the highest figure.

Kepler said this will account for 55 percent of the project.

"Our project is $96,807.62. With the USDA grant, that's the 55 percent eligible part and Department Emergency Services has matching funds of $46,807.62 from the Hazardous Material Response Fund," Kepler said.

Kepler and Plessinger will be at Thursday's voting session to review the proposal one more time before the board acts on it.

The board also heard from Planner/Engineer Steve Gibson regarding Phase 5 of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail.

Gibson told the board the phase is set to go out to bid in early 2024.

"PennDOT and the county set up a selection committee to have full time inspection on the project," Gibson said, noting the project will be fully funded by a Transportation Alternative Set Aside Grant.

The cost of the contract is $128,049.80 and needs to be reviewed and executed, he said.

"Just to reiterate, that fee is 100 percent covered by the grant," he said.

County Voter Registrar Maria Boileau briefly reviewed the Student Poll Worker Program.

Boileau said this was the first year the county implemented the program, which saw 29 students from Central Mountain High School and one from Sugar Valley Rural Charter School participate on Election Day.

Boileau said the students worked over 400 hours in 18 of the county's 34 precincts. She also gave a shout out to Central Mountain High School teacher Hayley Eisenhower who helped coordinate the program through the school.

Boileau noted all 30 students that participated will be at Thursday's voting session to receive a certificate for their participation.

The board's voting session will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 14 in the second floor meeting room of the Clinton County Government Building, 2 Piper Way, Lock Haven.