Historical society renovations in progress

Guyer updates commissioners on inventory collection

MIFFLINTOWN -- The Juniata County Commissioners heard a presentation on the improvements at the Juniata County Historical Society at Tuesday's weekly meeting.

Museum curator Jessica Guyer updated the Commissioners on the upgrades and renovations ongoing at the Society.

The Tuscarora Academy Museum will open its doors on Sunday, June 5, for the debut of the new "Doty Room" permanent exhibit and a one-day-only show of items recently recovered after being stolen. Extended hours are from noon to 5 p.m.

"The museum got a complete overhaul, and now we are a real, bona fide museum. We have new signs and new exhibits. We got things out of storage. They are for public viewing," Guyer said. "Everything tells a story. It's all self-guided. So, you could spend as little or as much time as you want to."

The Society also finished an inventory of all the items they have in their collection, which hasn't been done in 90 years.

In addition, the Society had an HVAC and installation project completed. The project was funded by a successful fundraiser and matching funds by a private donor.

The Society is awaiting approval of a Keystone Grant to fund 50 percent of a more than $51,000 project to repair windows at the Tuscarora Academy Museum. They will find out in June if the grant is approved.

In other county news,

• Appointed Jessica Guyer as the Juniata County representative for activities related to the United States Semiquincentennial (AMERICA250PA) celebration.

• Approved the tax exonerations for Fermanagh and Susquehanna Townships as per the material provided.

• Approved renewal of an environmental controls equipment and software service agreement with OAE Systems, LLC. at a cost of $5,700.00. The support period covers July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.

• Approve a "Lease Agreement" with Ricoh USA, Inc. for a new Ricoh IM2500A Configurable PTO Model copier at Magisterial District Judge Tracy L. Powell's office. The lease agreement is for sixty (60) months at a cost of $147.69 per month.

• Appointed Robert E. Digon of 419 Orange St., Mifflintown, to a three-year term on the Juniata County Library Board of Trustees. Mr. Digon, who replaces Megan Shellenberger, will serve on the Board from May 1, 2023, through April 30, 2025.

• Review the "Children & Youth Services Expenditure Report" for the period of January 1, 2023, through March 31, 2023, as submitted by the Children & Youth Services Fiscal Department.

• Acknowledged the resignation of Mackenzie R. Rohrer from her position as a full-time employee within the Emergency Management Services Department, effective as of the end of business on May 25, 2023.

• Approve payment of the following checklists:

– #68051 – #68120 in the amount of $226,319.66

– #68121 – #68192 in the amount of $522,403.55

• Review the following April 2023 departmental reports:

– "Summary of Collections Report-Fines and Costs" as submitted by Jacqueline T. Leister, Magisterial District Judge.

– "Disbursement Summary Report" as submitted by Tracy Powell, Magisterial District Judge.