Friday, August 27, 2004
Commissioners hired help in the assessment office and tax claim bureau.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- County officials are looking into bringing public waterlines to a portion of southern Lawrence County.
Lawrence County Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said he was part of a group of Beaver and Lawrence county officials who met this week to talk about extending the lines along Pa. Route 18 from Beaver Falls, Pa., to New Beaver Borough in Lawrence County.
The waterlines would come from the Beaver Falls Municipal Water Authority, he said. The genesis for the project is to assist Calamity Jane's Restaurant on Pa. Route 18 with rebuilding after a recent fire, he said.
That would bring the lines to the Beaver/Lawrence border, he added.
Fosnaught said officials are considering extending the waterline about 2,000 feet into Lawrence County to include a portion of Pa. Route 18 and Wilson Circle.
Benefits
Helen Jackson, president of New Beaver Borough Council, said there are about 20 homes in that area that could benefit from the waterlines.
She believes the lines could spur economic development along Route 18.
Jackson noted that talks just started and the borough council hasn't even had the opportunity to formally consider the extension.
Fosnaught said the project could be eligible for Community Development Block Grant funding from the state. He noted that if the county were to sponsor the project and use CDBG funding it would be reimbursed when property owners pay tap-in fees to access the water.
Hiring
In other business, Lawrence commissioners hired Richard Kelley of Slippery Rock, Pa., to perform assessment services for the county. He will be paid $12 an hour, not to exceed 240 hours. He will also be reimbursed for his car mileage at 37 1/2 cents per mile.
Chief County Assessor Mary Bullano said her office is behind on its work since Mike Roth left last spring and has not been replaced. She said her office is current on new house assessments, but has not had time to assess additions, decks and barns, which add value to property.
Commissioners said they expect money generated from adding those things to the tax rolls will more than pay for Kelley's salary.
Commissioners also agreed to hire Dorothy Reagan, former county tax claim bureau director, to work part-time in the tax claim bureau. Commissioner Dan Vogler noted that Georgann Gall only became director early this year and wants Regan's help with the coming tax claim property sale. She will be paid $7 an hour for an amount not exceed $392 per month over the next six months.
cioffi@vindy.com