CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – In the first regular meeting of 2017 on Wednesday, Clarion County Commissioners probably held their shortest meeting on record.
Commissioners Ted Tharan, Wayne Brosius, and Ed Heasley approved recent county expenditures and a news release for an end of the year report for Clarion County’s hazard mitigation plan. David Dunn, of the Clarion County Office of Emergency Services, was present at the meeting to answer any questions.
A copy of the the year report for 2016 is available for public review at the commissioners office located in the administration building at 330 Main St., all municipal office buildings, and on the Clarion County website. The report is required under Section 7, Plan Maintenance, of the current plan.
Copies of the end-of-the-year report were also provided to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Any questions should be directed to Dunn at 814–297–7902.
Some of the 2016 accomplishments included:
• Clarion Borough has begun the completion of a new Comprehensive Plan. No future planned Designated Growth Areas will be situated within high hazard areas. Hazard areas will be identified, mapped, and presented within the new Comprehensive Plan.
• All thirty-four municipalities have a codes enforcement officer or have a company to enforce building codes.
•The 30 municipalities required to have adopted ordinances have filed them with the Clarion County Department of Planning and Development. Four municipalities do not have flood plains.
• Red Cross is maintaining up to date information on all shelter sites. There are two agencies in Clarion County that have adequate emergency shelters for small animals. Clarion County will request assistance from adjacent counties when required.
• County public safety agencies are actively seeking volunteers. The Sheriff’s Department taught 19 Neighborhood Watch/Gun Safety programs.
Clarion County OES in cooperation with Butler Community College and their preferred partner program; was able to offer all fire academy classes to emergency service companies in the county.
• Currently there is still no funding available for Clarion County to install a countywide siren system or a reverse 9-1-1 notification systems. We are using other systems currently in the County.
• Clarion County maintains the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). This system allows the county to send alert and warning messages via Emergency Alert System, Cellular Telephones, I-Pads/Tablets, NOAA radio, and the Internet.
• The following are mitigation projects not currently in our plan, however; were completed or are in process of completion with other funding sources:
Beaver Township:
* Replaced culvert pipe and reconstructed drain on Cropps Corners Road. Total cost: $10,000
* Replaced asphalt deck on Eagle Furnace Bridge over Canoe Creek with a concert deck. Total cost: $11,000
Clarion Borough:
* The borough completed three major storm water infrastructure repair projects. These included: re-construction and installation of two new concrete storm water inlets in the Toby Street / North Third Avenue area, replacement of approximately 23-feet of deteriorated storm water piping across South Street at the South Street / South Sixth Avenue intersection (inlet to inlet) and replacement of approximately 62 feet of deteriorated storm water piping across Wood Street at the Wood Street / South Second Avenue intersection (inlet to inlet). These projects could not be deferred and had to be completed as quickly as possible. Borough funding financed the projects.
East Brady Borough:
* Replaced sections of storm water drains in the borough, as needed and as funds permit, to control flooding issues.
Hawthorn Borough:
* Replaced all borough sewer lines. Currently replacing all water lines and fire hydrants.
Highland Township:
* Storm water management project on McCleary Road replaced 1,100 feet of pipe with larger pipe, replaced collection boxes and added additional collection boxes, added additional laterals.
Rimersburg Borough:
* Replaced storm drains along Mill Alley.
Sligo Borough:
* Installed two new storm water inlets and headwalls on Miller Street and Shamrock Drive
St. Petersburg Borough:
* Replaced 560 feet of 4” water line and updated water control systems on the finished water side. Total cost: $30,000.
Strattanville Borough:
* Replaced storm drain along 1st Street.
