Mercer commissioners seek land to lease

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

MERCER, Pa. — County commissioners are looking for some property in Mercer Borough for county use.

Bill Boyle, the county’s director of administrative services, said at the commissioners’ Wednesday work session that he wants to tour the borough with commissioners and see what is available.

He said he would prefer to lease property instead of buying it so that the property stays on the tax rolls.

Boyle said the county’s bridge department, emergency management services and children and youth services could all use more office or garage space.

Commissioners also discussed a request by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation that the county turn over sponsorship of Mercer County Regional Transit to the Mercer County Council of Governments.

The county is currently the “pass-through” agency for state transit grants and, in this capacity, has some authority over equipment purchases.

Commissioner Kenneth Ammann, however, said he wants an assurance that programs that provide transportation to senior citizens and to medical appointments for eligible persons will be protected if COG takes over.

He and Commissioner John Lechner agreed to research the matter further before acting. Commissioner Brian Beader was attending a state meeting and did not attend the work session.