COUNTY OFFICES MOVING
By Travis Moshier Endeavor News

Potter County Commissioners have chosen a plan for moving offices into the Gunzburger Building, a former school on North Main Street in downtown Coudersport.

Although Commissioner Doug Morley said that there is still work to be done before a timeline is ready, he does expect to begin moving offices in the next 30 to 60 days.

One office that won't be moving is Potter County Human Services.

Several factors went into the decision, explained Commissioner Paul Heimel at last week's meeting. Included were the large amount of space needed and the impact that the offices leaving could have on Roulette.

Had Human Services moved into the annex, Morley explained, it would have taken up much of the space, which would have kept other county offices from moving out of the courthouse.

Another big reason was that the mortgage is paid off and the county now owns the former L. L. Smith School in Roulette. The building is also now generating money through rent.

LaBella Associates had supplied the board with three scenarios for moving offices into the Gunzburger Building following its space needs assessment, from which the board chose the final plan.

In another matter, Ulysses Township resident Otto Orszagh questioned whether discussions had been initiated with AES and other wind energy companies about generating revenue from wind turbines.

Morley explained that the proposed Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance only controlled setbacks and other physical restrictions. Taxation is controlled through other means.

Heimel explained that all three commissioners had been to turbine sites, and each individual's experiences and opinions would be pooled together in making decisions on regulation of wind turbines.

"All three of us understand the urgency of the situation," Morley added.

Commissioners said they've met with all five school superintendents in the county to discuss locating an alternative education program in the Gunzburger Building. The program would combine students from the districts in one curriculum, rather than having individual programs at each school.

The use of the annex was considered for several reasons, including the availability of a gymnasium.

Commissioner Susan Kefover said that the Pa. Dept. of Public Welfare has set a new deadline for the sale of Drake's Personal Care Home in Galeton. If the sale, potentially to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, does not go through, residents may be forced to moved out of the home.

In other business, the commissioners:

--appointed Robert C. Smith, former superintendent of Northern Potter schools, to the human services advisory board.

--approved contracts with UGI Energy Services for natural gas in the four county buildings at $10.95 per dth.

--agreed to participate in a regional Greenway and Open Spaces Planning Initiative.

Potter, Cameron, McKean, Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties will team up for the $200,000 program. PennDOT will provide $80,000, Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will contribute $100,000 and the six counties can pool up to $20,000 in matching funds.

--approved a contract with TMA Security and Data for installation of wiring for the 911 Wireless program, at $26,982.

--agreed to hire college student Nicole Gabreski as a 4-H summer intern with Cooperative Extension at $8.20 per hour.

--granted a $1.00 per hour pay raise for Irene North and Glenn Dunn as West Nile Virus personnel. Their pay, now $16 per hour, is provided through a state grant.

--approved a request by District Attorney Dawn Fink to pay an annual salary of $28,788 for an assistant district attorney position, recently filled by Jessica Songster.

Next commissioners' meeting is at 11 am Thursday, May 8, in their courthouse office.