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 2023 gas drilling and production reports. Potter County’s allotment is $210,000, down from last year’s $364,000.

Township/borough payments are also lower. With 2023 figures in paratheses, the leading recipients will be: Sweden $52,300 ($90,000); Ulysses Twp. $49,200 (84,000); West Branch $36,500 ($63,000); Summit $27,900 ($48,000); Eulalia $24,300 ($42,000); Clara $13,800 ($29,000); Coudersport $13,700 ($24,000); Wharton $13,400 ($23,000); Pleasant Valley $13,300 ($23,000) and Keating $13,250 ($23,000).

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.

In observance of his 100th birthday, friends presented Everett Saulter with a can that was used when he produced and sold maple syrup from his Hebron Township property. He died in 2016.

The Potter County Commissioners are marking the 25th anniversary of the popular Saulter Preserve by paying tribute to the special man whose gift to the people keeps on giving. The 57-acre Hebron Township tract was donated by Everett Saulter to the people of Potter County and is under the stewardship of the commissioners. Groups and families use the pavilion and grounds for reunions, meetings, picnics or casual nature walks. It is located off Rt. 44 between Coudersport and Millport.

The preserve includes trails with interpretive signs, indoor and outdoor gathering areas, and a rich diversity of trees and other vegetation preferred by deer, birds and other species. Trees include native white pine, cherry, red oak, maple and other varieties of hardwoods. There is also a three-acre clearing on the southeastern side of the tract that protects headwaters of the South Branch of Oswayo Creek.

Before the property was donated, Saulter contracted for a timber appraisal on the acreage, which came in at roughly $1 million, on top of the value of the land itself. He had no interest in selling. And today, to the people of Potter County, Saulter Preserve is priceless.

Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Robert Rossman and Paul Heimel continue to seek volunteers willing to serve on any of several county authorities, commissions and advisory boards. In an effort to broaden diversity, geographic representation and background knowledge, the Board of Commissioners periodically issues call for volunteers. Goal is to build a roster of qualified individuals who have a willingness to serve. As vacancies arise or incumbents’ terms expire, the commissioners rely on that these rosters to determine potential appointees for agencies such as:

Potter County Planning Commission. Administers subdivision and land use/development regulations; countywide comprehensive planning; regional advocacy on transportation funding priorities and other initiatives; GIS services; reliable resource/liaison for township and borough governments.

Potter County Redevelopment Authority. Economic development; support services for business and industry; administration of federal/state grants and loans for economic development.

Potter County Housing Authority. Administration of programs meeting needs for safe, healthy and affordable housing.

Potter County Human Services. Multiple advisory boards to guide administrators on meeting local social service needs.

Potter County Solid Waste Authority. Operation of transfer station/recycling center in Gold; administration of state-approved solid waste management/flow ordinance.

Potter County Hospital Authority. Public agency assisting UPMC Cole in acquisition of funds for capital improvements and implementation of long-term planning objectives.

Farmland Preservation Board. Responsible for purchase of development rights to preserve agricultural land.

Local Emergency Planning Committee. Coordinates activities of firefighters, emergency medical services, fire police and related responders; liaison with Potter County Department of Emergency Services for training, funding opportunities, drills/exercises to test preparedness.

Those wishing to be considered for appointment should contact Paige Barroqueiro at 814-274-8290, ext. 214 or pbarroqueiro@pottercountypa.net.

A public hearing was held on June 7 as part of the Potter County Commissioners’ application for a $500,000 grant through the HOMES program for housing rehabilitation. The county is contracting with the Emporium-based nonprofit Northern Tier Community Action Corp. to apply for the funds and, if successful, to administer the program in Potter County. It’s open to income-eligible persons who are age 62 or older and/or disabled. NTCAC officials estimate that as many as 10 homes in Potter County will be brought up to building code and related standards through the federal government program. Questions and comments are being fielded by NTCAC’s Shaun McAulay by phone ay 814-486-1161, ext. 213.

A Potter County official has been recognized with one of nine 2024 “Champions of the Pennsylvania Wilds” awards. Will Hunt, director of planning, community development and GIS services, is this year’s Pennsylvania Wilds Member of the Year. The honor recognizes his work in supporting the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in northwestern Pennsylvania.

In announcing the award, the judges described him as “an advocate of outdoor recreation and preservation of the character of the Pennsylvania Wilds.” Among his achievements are an ATV Task Force bringing together regional partners and stakeholders to ensure a thoughtful balance of outdoor recreation with the landscape; a land use ordinance to incorporate regional design standards, ensuring the preservation of area dark skies and natural beauty; and leadership of the Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team, which brings together county governments and other economic development and conservation partners to work on regional planning related to outdoor recreation development.

Members of the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) God’s Country Chapter attended Thursday’s meeting of the Potter County Board of Commissioners to draw attention to the designation of May as Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month. For its part, ABATE promotes safe driving techniques and equipment maintenance. The proclamation calls on drivers to be aware of motorcycles on the streets and highways. The commissioners pointed out that the ranks of motorcyclists have been growing in recent years, making it more important than ever for drivers to be aware of their presence and share the road. They also noted that the hobby has had a positive economic impact in Potter County, which is an increasingly popular destination for riders.