Township officials want better reception

MIFFLINTOWN - The Juniata County Commissioners again were asked to resolve a problem with spotty emergency call reception in parts of the county during a meeting Tuesday.

Ralph Clayton, a member of the Lack Township Board of Supervisors, brought a letter asking that the commissioners address the problem that has been "ongoing ... for the past 20 years."

"As of this time, there has been nothing done to correct the problem," the letter stated. "Our No. 1 priority is the health and safety of the citizens of our township."

Commission Chairman Jeffrey Zimmerman responded, "We're trying to set something up in January with (Emergency Services Director Allen) Weaver."

Earlier this year, community members brought the issue to the commissioners' attention, saying that volunteers often are unable to hear emergency calls on their pagers.

Zimmerman thanked the supervisors for keeping the commissioners on track.

"It is important that we do not lose sight of this," Zimmerman said.

However, actions to address the problem probably will not occur until the beginning of the new year, he added.

Possible solutions include using an already functioning tower in Perry County or building a new tower in Juniata County, the commissioners said previously.

Also during the meeting, Weaver told the commissioners that work continues on the county's rural addressing projects.

While the post offices wait for the holiday rush to be over before releasing more addresses, Weaver said he is working with L. Robert Kimball & Associates to work out any problems that may arise.

Kimball also is establishing a release date schedule, which should be complete in early January, Weaver said.

The commissioners also:

Approved a motion to seek a third year of state grant funding for the Housing Rehabilitation program through SEDA-Council of Governments.

SEDA-COG representatives Tim Brickley and Mike Fisher told the commissioners that the county has 20 people on its waiting list to receive assistance in home improvements through the grant. Improvements include replacing windows and building ramps for the disabled.

The 2008 grant will not be able to fund projects for those 20 people, Fisher said.

This year's current grant award to Juniata County is $500,000, Fisher said.

"The county is eligible for the same amount next year," he explained.

The state also asks the county to apply the grant to several target areas, Fisher said.

"Why can't we look at the whole county and see who is in the worst need?" Commissioner Dale Shelley asked. "I'm concerned about the low income in the whole county."

The county would need "a compelling reason to spread (the grant) out like that," Brickley said.

Fisher replied that the state prefers that the county designate a focus area, but an amount of the grant may be set aside for any county resident who is disabled or on a low income level. He said the grant also may be used in areas where the county uses Community Development Block Grant funding.

Commissioner Teresa O'Neal said the commissioners received calls from constituents thanking them for the program.

Requirements to be eligible for the grant include home ownership and a low income level.

Approved Administrator and Chief Clerk G. Sherlyn Mosebey as the county's open records officer.

Approved a contract with the Mifflin County Correctional Facility to house Juniata County inmates in 2009. The cost, which is the same as in 2008, is $55 per prisoner per day, Zimmerman said.

Reappointed Gayle Arbogast, Bob King and Joseph Forney to serve five-year terms on the Juniata Business and Industry Board. Their terms will commence on Jan. 1 and end Dec. 31, 2013.