SEDA-COG Executive Director Kim Wheeler presented Perry County’s 2023 Activity Report at the Commission’s June 10 meeting. SEDA-COG is an 11-county community and economic development organization that provides a variety of services, including business development, community development, housing development and transportation planning. The presentation highlighted the organization’s support of Perry County businesses, community projects and home weatherization and rehabilitation programs.
In 2023, SEDA-COG supported 11 Perry County businesses through the APEX Accelerator program, which facilitates private business sales to government agencies, and two businesses through the Export Assistance Program. The organization spent $139,921 to renovate two homes in Perry County and $102,736 to weatherize 34 homes in the county. $273,822 was invested in community development, resulting in two community revitalization projects. Watts Township, Newport Cemetery and Rye Township all used SEDA-COG’s information technology services for website support.
Four projects were presented to the commissioners seeking Community Development Block Grant funding for fiscal year 2024. Projects were evaluated based on eligibility, fundability, timeliness, financial need and attendance at previous meetings or workshops. The estimated total allocation is $260,472, of which $43,300 is administrative costs and $217,172 is the estimated project allocation.
The Borough of Duncannon is requesting $195,250 to renovate the Neu Park footbridge. According to the project description, the existing footbridge over Little Juniata Creek is a steel structure approximately 80 feet long. Renovations to the structure are necessary to improve safety and make the bridge easier for the public to use. Existing issues include lead paint, tripping hazards, surface cracks, electrical and fire hazards. Work will include surface blasting the underside of the walkway and bridge, upgrading the wood deck, weatherizing the outlet boxes, and painting the bridge. It is estimated that 800 households will be assisted by this project.
Liverpool City officials are requesting $108,000 to replace the existing Well 2 chlorine contact tank. According to the project description, the existing tank is aging and requires replacement to maintain risk prevention to the public and comply with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Work will include removal and replacement of the existing tank and valve, and restoration of the site to its pre-construction condition. The number of households that will benefit is estimated at 355.
The Village of Loysville Municipality is seeking $98,895 to fund a $118,895 sewer manhole rehabilitation project. The authority’s original vitreous clay pipe sewer system was first commissioned in 1978 but had numerous issues with inflow and seepage, as well as significant leakage, which were identified in 2019 and 2021. The work will include addressing the issues and conducting inspections of the sewer mains. The authority is contributing $20,000. An estimated 243 households will be assisted.
The Borough of Newport is requesting $77,475 for parking lot improvements. Two parking lots in the borough’s Veterans Memorial Park have deteriorated as stormwater has eroded the crushed stone layer, causing holes, uneven surfaces and pooling of water after storms. Work will include excavation for a new entrance and pipes to connect to the existing storm water system, scraping out one of the parking lots, resurfacing both parking lots and final site restoration. An estimated 1,450 households will be served by this project.
The fuel oil contract was awarded to WC Eschenaur and Son, even though it was not the lowest bid. The other lower bids were variable rate and a fixed price was preferred for budgetary reasons. The propane contract was also awarded to Eschenaur as the lowest bidder.
Matthew Campbell was reappointed to the Workforce Development Committee. Michelle Ollis was appointed chief probation officer and approved to begin work on June 18 at a rate of $31.02 per hour. Charles Stillo was appointed part-time administrator in the chief clerk’s department and approved to begin work on June 17 at a rate of $12.25 per hour.
Maintenance Director Marty Smith praised Perry County Emergency Management Agency Deputy Director Wes Smith for his response to the late-night incident in which a truck crashed into the courthouse.
“He should be commended,” Smith said. “He took action. He was on scene with the police. He got the camera footage for the police report. He took control of the situation very well and he should be commended for that.”
