Bradford County commissioners (from left) Doug McLinko, Daryl Miller, and Ed Bustin on Jan. 24 field questions from reporters about improvements in communication infrastructure, park renovations and a forum that afternoon that would focus on natural gas royalty payments that they contend are unfairly reduced by company-imposed “production fees.”
Photos and story by Rick Hiduk
(Exclusive to Endless Mountain Lifestyles)
Hoping to score a RACP (Redevelopment Assistant Capital Program) grant for $5,208,000, the Bradford County Commissioners passed a resolution on Thursday to allocate a matching amount of Act 13 funds for the Progress Authority Broadband Initiative (PABI). The project is at least two years in the making and is picking up steam. Much of the engineering and pole analysis has been completed, especially for the first phase of the project, which will target the northwestern part of the county between Towanda and Troy.
The object is to fill in the “darker,” under-served areas in the county, primarily for emergency communication. The commissioners are united in their belief that companies in the private sector will take the lead to use the enhanced fiber-optic system to take better internet and cell service to rural residents – and that leasing of fibers and space on new communications towers will help the project pay for itself within a decade.
“I believe that we are close to breaking new ground for rural counties that will become a model,” commissioner Ed Bustin added. “Whatever works for Bradford County will certainly work for Wyoming, Susquehanna and Sullivan counties.”
“There are many layers to this,” commissioner Daryl Miller related. “This will generate revenue.”
“This is cutting edge stuff,” commissioner Doug McLinko said of the board’s commitment to supporting broadband for everyone and expanding existing services. “The internet is as important today as electricity. And it’s good for the economy.”
“It’s no easy task,” McLinko continued, citing the fact that Bradford County is the second largest in area in the state and contains some of the most diverse topography. Bradford County will be the first customer for the completed loops, of which three are planned. Act 13 funds, realized from impact fees levied on natural gas companies, can be used for public safety. The county has lost internet several times during emergency situations, McLinko noted.
A tower installed on Mt. Pisgah with Act 13 funds has already significantly enhanced communication between the emergency operations center and that part of the county, Bustin explained.
There is no guaranteed that the county will get the grant, nor do the commissioners know when the funds might be made available if their application is successful. But they have no intentions of waiting. “Let’s get out in front and fix the problem,” Bustin said of the board’s proactive approach, adding, “I’d be willing to commit more county money. It has to be done.”
“We’re moving along with this project,” Miller concurred.
All of the commissioners agree that all three loops can be completed in three years and that better internet and cell service for most residents will parallel the developments.
Park Renovations Gets Approval
Friends of the Valley Playground, built at least 30 years ago behind the borough building in Athens are submitting an application for a PA DCNR grant to totally rebuild the popular recreation area. The commissioners approved their request for a letter of support. According to Matt Williams, Bradford County Planner, the Planning Commission has also drafted a letter of support for the project, which will cost upwards of $330,000.
Voting Machine Upgrade Ratified
New voting machines with Election IQ technology will be used for the first time in Bradford County this spring, following a state mandate for machines that leave a “paper trail,” which lead to more accurate recounts, if one is required. The cost is more than $1.2 million.
The commissioners expressed their appreciation of Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to allow all counties effected by the resignation of Rep. Tom Marino to hold the mandated special election to fill the seat concurrent with the spring primary election on May 21. Had the governor not responded in favor of letters of request from county commissioners in the region, tax payers would have been on the hook for $50,000 in Bradford County alone.
A proposal for sending a letter requesting the special election not be a separate event was on the commissioners meeting agenda, but word arrived just before the meeting of the governor’s decision.
“We appreciate the governor making this decision as quickly as he did,” McLinko remarked, noting that the old voting machines would have to have beeen re-employed to service any election prior to May.