MERCER COUNTY Commissioners expedite road repairs

Crews searched for other storm damage.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa. -- Sugar Run Road in Green Township remains closed after Wednesday's heavy rains washed out a culvert, rendering the road impassible.
Mercer County commissioners declared the repair an emergency at their meeting Thursday to expedite Department of Environmental Protection approvals so repairs can begin.
County Engineer Mark Miller said his crews were out Thursday searching for other storm damage.
Also Thursday, commissioners said an application will be filed for $1.3 million in reimbursements and grant funds for electronic voting machines by a Sept. 15 deadline.
Commissioners spent $900,000 for new voting machines for the county three years ago and were told at the time that some federal reimbursement would be forthcoming. The amount the county will receive, however, is in doubt and could range from less than $3,500 to $8,000 per precinct.
More accessible
In addition to the reimbursement, the federal government is expected to award additional money so the county can make voting machines accessible to the disabled, visually impaired and those with limited reading ability. Any reimbursement received will be used to pay off bonds since purchase of the voting machines was financed by bonds, commissioners said.
In other business, commissioners entered an agreement to accept a $34,795 grant from the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh for Child Care grant monies. The funds will be used by the Mercer County Penn State Cooperative Extension to help prepare children for kindergarten in an effort to maximize academic success.
They authorized seeking DEP approvals for bridge replacements on Hogback Road, Hermitage, and Chestnut Street, Grove City. Construction on both projects will be funded by state and federal money and is expected to begin late next year or in early 2006.