Potter County Today

Lower payments from the Pa. Act 13 shale gas-drilling “impact fee” have many county and local governments facing financial crunches as they enter the second half of the budget/calendar year. Payments from the tax are based on 2024 gas drilling and production reports. Potter County’s allotment is $189,107, down from $210,000 last year, and $364,000 in 2023.

Township/borough payments are also lower. With 2024 figures in paratheses, the leading recipients will be: Sweden $45,886 ($52,300); Ulysses Twp. $43,188 ($49,200); West Branch $34,525 ($36,500); Summit $24,451 ($27,900); Eulalia $21,327 ($24,300); Hector $12,502 ($8,478); Coudersport $12,111 ($13,650); Clara $12,089 ($13,800);  Wharton $11,758 ($13,400); Pleasant Valley $11,696 ($13,308); Keating $11,666 ($13,250); Harrison $11,118 ($12,505); Allegany $8,031 ($9,096); Sharon $7,726 ($8,705); Hebron $7,151 ($8,054); and Roulette $6,869 ($7,743).

While all counties receive a percentage of the annual impact fee revenues, distribution is weighted toward the counties and local governments that host development. Totals fluctuate annually, as the amount is based on factors including number of wells drilled, age of each well and prices.

County and local governments can use the money for preservation and reclamation of water supplies; improvements to roads and bridges; construction and repair of water and sewer systems; delivery of social services; local tax reduction; housing; conservation districts; emergency preparedness and flood plain management.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in areas affected by severe storms and flooding occurring Aug. 8-10, 2024, of the July 10 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses. The disaster area declaration covers Potter and Tioga counties as well as the New York counties of Allegany, Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler, Steuben and Yates. SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses and private nonprofits providing non-critical services of a governmental nature impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster.

Example of eligible organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools, and colleges. EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or nonprofit did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for private nonprofit organizations, and terms up to 30 years. The SBA determines eligibility based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to a disaster.

Potter County Commissioners will hold a public meeting for input on how to expend the county’s annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) at 6 pm on Wednesday, June 18, at the F. W. Gunzburger County Office Building. The county’s CDBG allotment has averaged about $200,000 annually. In the past, CDBG funds have supported public water system upgrades in Galeton, Genesee, Shinglehouse, Ulysses and Austin; wastewater treatment system upgrades in Galeton, and other infrastructure projects; rehabilitation of housing for low-income homeowners, and other projects.

The June 18 meeting is being held to field inquiries, accept public input, develop project plans, review previous CDBG allotments, and review the commissioners’ three-year CDBG plan. Townships and boroughs are invited to seek funds to support infrastructure improvements, housing, economic development and public services, including property acquisition, recreation, facilities for senior citizens, and removal of architectural barriers for handicapped accessibility. Projects must provide a benefit to documented low- or moderate-income residents. Exceptions can be made for proposals that address an urgent health or safety threat.

The county contracts with SEDA-Council of Governments for assistance in administering the CDBG program. Those who are unable to attend the June 18 public hearing and project development workshop may present project and ideas to SEDA-COG’s Jamie Shrawder at 570-524-4491 or jshrawder@seda-cog.org. Application deadline July 11.

Many Potter County townships and boroughs are facing serious challenges in meeting new stormwater management regulations. Commissioner Nancy Grupp reports that help is on the way for local government leaders. The county will be hosting a three-day training session at the Gunzburger Building Oct. 21-23. Further information is available online at train.org/pa. Comm. Grupp explained that Erb Inspections Inc. of Lawrenceville, which provides stormwater management for approximately 40 townships and boroughs in Potter and Tioga counties, will discontinue its services effective Dec. 31. Affected municipalities must appoint a new flood plain manager and have that person trained before Jan. 1.

Devastation inflicted by remnants of Hurricane Debby last August and other high-water emergencies spawned new regulations to protect vulnerable low-lying properties. Local governments are required to meet the standards in their own stormwater management infrastructure. They also must regulate development within designated flood hazard areas. New construction and development there is generally prohibited or highly restricted. Lowest floors must be elevated. Encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvements, or other development, are not permitted unless they can be shown to not increase flood levels. Development proposals within floodplains often require hydrologic and hydraulic analysis to assess the potential impact on flood levels.

Townships and boroughs must require permits and must conduct inspections to ensure compliance. They can also take enforcement actions if violations are found. Pa. Emergency Management Agency will be auditing compliance. Townships and boroughs found to be in violation could lose their eligibility for federally subsidized flood insurance.

More activities have fallen into place as Potter County continues an extended “America250” celebration, marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Spearheading activities are Potter County Historical Society (PCHS), represented by David Castano; and Allegewi Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, represented by Ilene Altenhein. Commissioner Paul Heimel is county liaison with the America250PA organization. Those interested in becoming involved should contact PCHS (814-274-4410) or DAR/Allegewi Chapter (814-274-9798).

• DAR/Allegewi Chapter members began the observance by placing displays in the PCHS Museum and the Eliot Ness Museum and placing wreaths at the sites of the 11 Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Potter County. Wreaths will remain in place through July 2026. DAR members are also holding two special events to which the public is invited. At 10 am on Thursday, July 3, 2025, they will hold a memorial service at American Legion Post 192 pavilion and the Lymansville Cemetery in honor of the Revolutionary War soldiers. DAR activities will culminate with a rededication of the David Zeisberger monument and other activities at the courthouse square at 11 am on July 3, 2026.
• Bells Across Pennsylvania: To commemorate the Liberty Bell and spotlight its significance, PCHS will provide funding and materials for students at each of the six public school districts in Potter County to fashion bells with localized history themes. Art teachers at each school are being asked to coordinate the projects. The six bills are currently being crafted at The Carpenter’s Shop in Ulysses by Calvin Horning. They are 3’ by 3’ manufactured from native hardwoods. Each bell, as flat silhouettes, will be distributed by September 2025 to each school district along with a $200 stipend for each district for supplies. Bells will initially be displayed for public viewing at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum prior to being placed at each school.
• Liberty Tree Dedication: During the Revolutionary War, the Sons of Liberty often convened under the nation’s original Liberty Tree in Boston, to discuss their opposition to British rule in the colonies. This historic tree became a beacon of hope to colonists and a symbol of American freedom. Seedlings from an original Liberty Tree are being planted across the commonwealth. Goal is to have a certified Liberty Tree planted in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. PCHS, local Freemasons, Pa. Bureau of Forestry and the Potter County Conservation District will dedicate Potter County’s Liberty Tree at Denton Hill State Park at 1 pm on Saturday, Sept. 6. State Representative Martin Causer has been invited to speak. Local musicians will perform. PCHS will sponsor a reception at the lodge following the ceremony.
• Nurturing Our Next Generation: Goal is to help students in grades 4-8 to learn and practice the civic leadership and skills that will help them develop into responsible, ethical citizens. PCHS will provide guides with localized content for each school district to use during the 2025-26 school year. Pennsylvania Lumber Museum staffers Jennifer Haines and Josh Fox will host field trips customized to include content relevant to the boroughs and townships in each school district. Thirty guides featuring Potter County history will be distributed to each school district for classroom use.
• ‘Pa. Proud’ Service Member Spotlight: DAR, PCHS and local veterans service organizations are working on localized “spotlights” to memorialize selected Revolutionary War and Civil War veterans. A series of articles will be provided to the local media. Focus will be on the Revolutionary War soldiers connected to Potter County, prepared by DAR; and Civil War soldiers, provided by Ed Worman, Civil War historian for PCHS. The latter will focus particularly on those who were held as prisoners at Andersonville, Ga., Richmond, Va., and Salisbury, N.C. Spotlights will culminate with Memorial Day observances in 2026.
• Road to Pennsylvania: America250PA is promoting walking, running, biking or wheeling through races, organized walks/hikes or other events. In partnership with the DCNR and county partners, America250PA will also highlight and encourage visitation to state parks, county parks and local historic points of interests. Locally, PCHS is identifying trails with historical connections to railroading within Lyman Run, Denton Hill, Ole Bull and Sinnemahoning state parks. A hiking guide/brochure will be produced with local railroad photographs. Plans could expand to include scholastic cross-country teams, hiking clubs, running clubs and other potential partners.
• Dedication of new Asylum Peters marker at Ayers Hill Cemetery, properly identifying him as an early pioneer settler in Potter County (1808). Still in its formative stages, this ambitious project by PCHS represents the spirit of the founding of America, the inherent contradiction of white supremacy and slavery in a nation dedicated to freedom and liberty, and related themes embodied by the life history of a Potter County pioneer. PCHS is purchasing a new marker to be crafted by local monument sales representative Mike Valenti and reaching out to partners to ensure a fitting memorial to Asylum Peters. Dedication ceremony is at 1 pm Saturday, Oct. 11, at Ayers Hill Cemetery. Music will be provided by vocalists rendering Antebellum period spiritual selections.
• America250 Apron Contest: Potter County Fair Board is holding a patriotic apron contest in conjunction with the 2025 fair, in conjunction with the Pa. State Assn. of County Fairs. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners. More information is available from Judi Turton at 814-848-7204.
• American250 Parade: Organizers are planning a Potter County America250 Parade on July 3, 2026. Details will be announced. DAR/Allegewi Chapter and the Coudersport Rotary Club are working on the arrangements.
• Twnship/Borough Engagement: Summit, Harrison and Stewardship townships are the first Potter County municipalities to sign up through America250PA. For more information on how to sign up, township and boroughs can visit the website, america250pa.org or send email to info@america250pa.org.

The Potter County Commissioners have contracted with Corrections Consultants LLC of Lebanon County to conduct an assessment of the jail. It will include a site visit; interviews with jail management and staff; discussions with those engaged in criminal justice, law enforcement and county management/fiscal operations; data analysis; review of best practices from other counties that might benefit Potter County, and other research. Recommendations could include (but are not limited to):

• cost-savings options
• changes in space/staffing utilization
• changes in policies and practices
• changes to, or addition of, services.

Public meetings of the Potter County Jail Board are typically held at noon on the first Friday of each month at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building Auditorium. Telephone access is available at 814-274-0844; PIN is #114477. Next public meeting is scheduled for noon on Friday, July 11. Those with questions or comments about the jail are reminded that they can submit them through email sent to pcjailboard@pottercountypa.net. Jail Board members are Commissioner Paul Heimel (chair), Sheriff Kevin Siska (vice chair), Commissioner Nancy Grupp (secretary), Commissioner Robert Rossman, Judge Stephen Minor and District Attorney Andy Watson. Chief Commissioners Clerk Jessica Giebel serves as administrator.