Commissioners Hold Final Town Meeting In Coudersport

Potter County Commissioners Doug Morley, Susan Kefover and Paul Heimel concluded their round of six evening “town meetings” with a visit to Coudersport Elementary School on Tuesday night. Much of the dialogue focused on issues related to natural gas development. Laurie Barr from Roulette Township, who is active in two environmental organizations, spoke in detail about her field inspections of local gas well operations. She expressed concern that officials are not taking environmental threats seriously enough, including potential contamination of the Roulette municipal water source. The commissioners advised Barr to share her findings with the Roulette Township Board of Supervisors; she said she had already contacted the Pa. Dept. of Environmental Protection.

Long-time Coudersport resident Tom Leete addressed the commissioners on the issue of county elected officials’ salaries.  He asked the board to freeze the salaries of the sheriff/warden, treasurer, prothonotary/clerk of courts, auditors (3), register of wills/recorder of deeds, and commissioners (3) for the 2012-15 term of office. A public hearing and vote on the salary issue is scheduled for 6 pm Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Gunzburger Building.

Some citizens attending Tuesday’s meeting were concerned about the impact of likely state budget cuts on local services and budgets. The commissioners said they will be producing a summary of the comments they heard during the six town meetings to share with state and federal officials.

Coudersport School Superintendent Alanna Huck shared details of the environmental education program that is kicking off in Potter County’s five public school districts. She announced that National Science Foundation funding is being sought to expand the program for another five years.