Potter County Today

Two representatives from the most active natural gas drilling company in Potter County will speak and answer questions during the next meeting of the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7 pm. Please note the meeting’s location has changed to the Potter County Courthouse. Bruce Sampson and Robert Dean from Pennsylvania General Energy Inc. (PGE), a Warren-based company with significant mineral rights ownership and gas production activity in the county, will be guest speakers. Among the topics they’ll address are property owners’ options and the complexities of “split estate” mineral rights ownership, as well as local government options for protection of roads and bridges.

Also on the agenda is a report on the new Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited Coldwater Conservation Corps program.

Lance Simmens, long-time aide to Gov. Rendell, has postponed his visit. He plans to attend a future meeting.

The task force’s Public Education Committee has unveiled a new section on the Potter County government’s new website, http://pottercountypa.net/, developed as a “one-stop shop” for pertinent local and regional information on the dawning Marcellus Shale natural gas industry. It contains timely news on state environmental policies, links to other information sites, a summary of educational programs and seminars, updates on the Potter County Natural Gas Task Force, news about gas-drilling on state forest land in Potter County, and more.

The website is designed to localize the large volume of available information for anyone interested in the Marcellus Shale phenomenon — whether it’s for business opportunities, environmental concerns, local government issues or any other perspective. To access it, go to http://pottercountypa.net/ and click on the Marcellus Shale/Natural Gas tab at the top.

A Mercy Flight ground crew safety training program for volunteer firefighters, ambulance and other emergency personnel will be held on Sunday, April 18, at the Austin Firehall, starting at 1 pm. A medical helicopter will land at the Austin Area School between noon and 12:30, weather-permitting.

The program, which will last about 75 minutes, will include training on helicopter utilization, use of stand-bys, on-scene response information, patient preparation, establishing landing sites, communications and safety. Those planning to attend should contact the Potter County Department of Emergency Services no later than April 12 at 274-8900 or potterema@zitomedia.net.

Potter County Veterans Affairs Director Lenny Kalkbrenner continues his outreach to each of the veterans’ organizations in the county, in an attempt to make more vets aware of available services and to help them qualify for benefits. In a recent report to the Potter County Board of Commissioners, Kalkbrenner said that over the past year a record number of Potter County veterans have been approved for retroactive and ongoing compensation claims. Last month, he contacted each American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars organization in the county with an offer to meet personally with veterans at local posts, either on a regular basis or on-demand, depending on the posts’ preferences.

“It’s all about bringing services closer to our veteran population and making it more convenient for many veterans and their families,” Kalkbrenner said.

The director is available during regular offices hours in the F. W. Gunzburger County Office Building Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 am to 3 pm, or Wednesdays through Fridays by appointment. His phone number is (814) 274-8290, extension 210; email address is lkalkbrenner@pottercountypa.net. Kalkbrenner is shown above conferring with Lucinda Weakland, executive secretary to the Board of Commissioners. More information is available under Veterans Affairs on the county’s website, http://pottercountypa.net/

Each fire, ambulance and fire police organization in the county is asked to designate at least one representative for the Potter County Emergency Services Council. It’s an effort to bring together emergency agencies from throughout the county to explore common interests and strategies, including financial options, while updating members on recent issues and developments.

Next meeting will be held at 6:30 pm on Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Coudersport Fire Station. A representative from Tioga County will attend to discuss issues and answer questions about the emergency communications system. Those planning to attend or seeking more information should contact the Department of Emergency Services at 274-8900 or send an email to potterema@zitomedia.net.

Residents and businesses of Potter County affected by the Jan. 25 flooding are encouraged to attend a workshop being held at the Austin Firehall on Wednesday, Feb. 17, from 2-7 pm. It’s jointly sponsored by the Pa. Emergency Management Agency and the Potter County Department of Emergency Services.

Flood victims may be able to qualify for low-interest loans to assist in restoring property, if a sufficient number of homeowners, renters, and/or businesses with little or no insurance can be verified as flood victims.

“No one is obligated to take a loan,” explained County Emergency Management Coordinator Glenn Dunn. “However, we need to capture all uninsured losses so that those who want to apply for a loan will be able to.”

The Feb. 17 workshop will help not only those who have already documented damage, but also property owners who have not reported damage. Flood victims who cannot attend the workshop are asked to call the Potter County Department of Emergency Services at 274-8900.

Property owners throughout Potter County have received some unwelcome mail this week: tax bills. If there’s one small consolation, it’s the continued availability of a two-percent discount for those who pay their taxes before April 30. Some groups have called on the state legislature to eliminate the early-payment deadline, but it has survived for at least another year. On the other hand, those who do not pay their taxes by June 30 are subject to a 10-percent penalty. Bills that were sent last week cover the county and township/borough real estate taxes and the $5.00 county per-capita tax.

School district tax bills will be mailed this summer. Homeowners in Potter County who want to qualify for reduced school taxes have until March 1 to apply for the “homestead exemption,” which requires school districts to cut real estate taxes on owner-occupied homes. In short, if you own the property in which you live, you are likely eligible for the tax reduction. Rental units, unoccupied homes and other real estate do not qualify. Homeowners who were already approved for the homestead exemption for the 2009 school tax year do not have to reapply.

Applications from each Potter County school district can also be downloaded from the Tax Assessment page on county’s website: www.pottercountypa.net. Homeowners can also fill out an application at the Assessment Office, located in the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building, Coudersport, weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30.

Taxpayers who qualify for the homestead exemption will see a credit on their school district real estate tax bill mailed later this year. School districts are reimbursed the amount of revenue lost through these exemptions from gambling revenues at state-approved slot machine parlors. Homeowners in Potter County are advised to contact their school districts if they have questions. Those with further questions should call the Potter County Assessment Office at 274-0517.