Photo by Brent Addleman
June H. Sorg, left, Chairman of the Elk County Commissioners discusses bids for the Jay Township Storm Water project. At right is Commissioner Ronald T. Beimel. The Commissioners approved a bid for the project and also approved changes to the contract for renovations of the Barratt Building in Wilcox, the future home of the Wilcox Public Library.

Elk County Commissioners approve revisions to the construction of the Barratt Building, the future home of the Wilcox Public Library. 

By Brent Addleman

Record Editor 

The Elk County Commissioners approved changes to the contract for the renovations of the Barratt Building in Wilcox, the future home of the Wilcox Public Library, at yesterday morning’s meeting at the Elk County Courthouse Annex.
The changes alter construction aspects of the renovations, which are being done by Daghir Construction, according to Tracy D. Gerber, Community Development Block Grant coordinator.
“This is for the Barratt Building project in Wilcox,” Gerber said. “There was a little bit of an increase in the contract.”
The increase in the contract totals $12,622.
“They changed the flooring in the building,” Gerber said. “They were going to put carpeting down. They are going to put laminate flooring, and they do have a volunteer to install it for us, so that helped with some labor (costs.) That was a reduction. We changed the ceiling tiles.”

Gerber also acknowledged Commissioner Daniel R. Freeburg for his help regarding the project.
“Dan has been a huge help on this project, and has really been involved in it,” Gerber said.
There will also be changes to the lighting and in the foundation and roof.
“The biggest individual change was to add sheeting to the roof bid,” Freeburg said. “I think it was about $6,000 more. I was present at that meeting, and the Jones Township Supervisors approved that change as well. There were little things that in the original specs, they tried to think of everything in the bid specs, but some little things the library director (wanted to change.) She looked at the lighting and they changed it a little bit. And, the floor, of course.”
Commissioner Ronald T. Beimel also posed a question pertaining to the roof of the Barratt Building, asking if a metal roof was installed.
“It is asphalt shingle,” Freeburg said. “When Andy (Daghir) bid it, they said if the sheeting is OK when they tore the roof off, they recommended it because it was slats.”
Freeburg made a motion to approve the changes.
“(The changes) are in conjunction with the approval of Jones Township, who is providing funding, also,” Freeburg said.
Gerber cited the changes affecting funding sources.
“This is being run in the CDBG program, but there is numerous funding sources, including local,” Gerber said. “We did the contract change, because he is under contract with the County for the entire project. One of the other grant–funding sources through the Wilcox Public Library paid for the change order.”
The Commissioners unanimously approved the changes.
Gerber also asked the Commissioners to approve a bid from North Star Aggregates in the amount of $13,611 for the Jay Township Storm Water Project in Force.
Several bids were received after the bid was re-advertised as the project needed a different type of stone.
“The low bidder is actually North Star Aggregates out of Penfield,” Gerber said. “All their paper work is in order and their bid bond is here.”
Freeburg also took the time to inform two students from the St. Marys Area School District who are shadowing Solicitor Tom Wagner about the processes Commissioners are involved in regarding funding projects throughout the county.
“The bid opening, maybe Mr. Wagner explained, we get Federal monies that we disperse to the communities for different projects,” Freeburg said. “It’s one of the rewarding things we get to do. We can put monies to use in the villages and communities, which is nice.”
Beimel moved the Commissioners accept the bid with Freeburg seconding the motion as the measure was unanimously passed.
Chairman June H. Sorg addressed reappointing Cathy Van Aker as Fair Housing Officer for 2009.
“We have to do this annually, so that she can do her housing program that benefits a lot of people here in the county,” Sorg said.
The Commissioners unanimously approved the appointment.
The Commissioners approved:
- Renewal contract with Vision Benefits of America, which is the vision plan for the County. The contract is for 24 months beginning Jan. 1, 2009, and running through Dec. 31, 2010. The contract carries a 4 percent increase in cost.
- Renewal contract with United Concordia, which is the dental plan for the County.  The contract is for one year, running from Jan. 1, 2009, to Dec. 31, 2009. The plan carries a 9 percent increase in cost.
- Contracts for Children and Youth Services for Adelphoi Village in Latrobe and Pentz Run Youth Services Inc. of DuBois.
- Allow Ridgway Cub Scout Pack 92 to use the Elk County Courthouse and front lawn on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. for Christmas caroling and activities.
- Agreement with the County between Stock, Garber and Associates Inc. of Ebensburg for ongoing support for software systems in the amount of $2,800 per month.
The following bills were approved:
- Payroll in the amount of $188,208.89
- General Fund in the amount of $102,756.72
- Work Release in the amount of $5,272.59
- Solid Waste Admin in the amount of $7,560.07
- Transportation Block Grant in the amount of $291,181.00
- Stormwater Act 167 in the amount of $8,701.80
- Multiple Housing Access in the amount of $23,215.30
- 2006 CDBG in the amount of $715
- 2007 CDBG in the amount of $5,000
- HazMat in the amount of $2,125.94
- 911 Wireless in the amount of $45,195.23
- 911 in the amount of $1,709.54
The Commissioners have also received applications from the Allegheny National Forest, which is seeking applications for concession permits for recreation area. The Commissioners have the applications and all the information for those interested.
The Commissioners received correspondence from Seneca Resource Corporation stating they will apply for a GP-7 Permit from the Department of Environmental Protection; a letter from DEP regarding the Permit Renewal for the operation of Veolia ES Greentree Landfill; a letter from Public Welfare to announce a fiscal year 2008-09 supplemental allocation of $16,328 in Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; notification from C/G Electrodes of the company’s intent to apply for an Air Contamination Source Permit from DEP; notification from the TranSystems/Stone Consulting & Design to submit a Joint Application for PA Water Obstruction and Enroachment Permit from DEP; and an application on behalf of Johnsonburg Municipal Authority for Water Quality Management Part II Permit to DEP.