Grant to help make polling sites more accessible

MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County commissioners gave final approval Thursday to using leftover 2002 Community Development Block Grant funds to make changes to several polling places to make them handicapped-accessible.
They include: Greene Township -- $19,410; Jefferson Township -- $9,980; Otter Creek Township -- $5,700; Jackson Center Borough -- $3,110 and Fredonia Borough -- $875. Commissioner Michele Brooks said Millcreek Township has also submitted a request, and one or two other municipalities are also expecting to ask for part of the grant.
The federal government is requiring polling places to be handicap-accessible by January.
Also Thursday, commissioners agreed to buy insurance for Mercer County tax collectors and municipal treasurer officials for four years through the Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Hartford, Conn. The local broker will be Jovenall S.J. Insurance Agency, Hermitage. Cost is $50,912. All of the 48 municipalities will pay a share of the cost based on their percentage of taxes.
Commissioners extended, for one year, a contract with Woodring Detective Bureau to provide security services for the Domestic Relations Division for $15.85 per hour.
Commissioners also made several appointments including: James Rust, Mercer, farmer director on the Mercer County Conservation District Board from Jan. 1, 2006, to Dec. 31, 2009; Jeff Kremis, of Greenville, public director on the board for the same term.