A new boiler is expected to be installed this week at the Clarion County Courthouse.
County commissioner Ted Tharan said at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting the new boiler will replace a boiler that had rotted out.
Tharan said the new boiler will be part of a series of boilers that will be installed as part of the larger courthouse renovation project.
In other business at Tuesday’s commissioners meeting, Tax Claim Bureau director Megan Kerr said 26 of 65 parcels were sold at the recent tax sale.
“The sale brought in just over $96,000 and we are in the 30-day period to see if anyone objects to the sale,” Kerr said.
She added that of the parcels sold, 13 were minerals, 11 were vacant land and one was a trailer plus land. Six of the properties that sold had surplus money, Kerr added.
“Once the court allows me I will have to figure out who gets what,” Kerr said. “Some people think the county makes a lot of money but that is not true. The only money the county gets is what has been spent and the taxes,” she added.
Kerr said the 39 parcels that weren’t sold will be placed on the judicial sale list. The parcels are listed on the county website.
In another matter, Tharan reported on the progress of certifying the Clarion County Economic Development Corp. (CCEDC) as the county’s new tourist promotion agency.
“We are very close to getting that 50 percent,” said Tharan. “By the end of the week we should have enough votes. We have had no negative feedback.”
The funding for the tourist promotion effort is derived from a three percent tax on every motel room rented in Clarion County.
During a dispute with the Northwest Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, the previous tourist promotion agency, the county withheld about $223,000 in room tax. That money will be available for the CCEDC.
Tharan said Bull Moose, the agency hired by the CCEDC, has posted a survey on its website, and he has asked county residents to respond.
County public safety director Jeff Smathers told the commissioners there were no incidents reported during the Autumn Leaf Festival, but there was a safety concern during Saturday’s parade.
“The kids come for the candy. The parents need to be involved with keeping their children off of the road,” Smathers said. “They are so quick and they can be out there in the blink of an eye. For next year we will make changes.”
Smathers added that in the past fire police had patrolled the street to keep the kids back.
County treasurer Karyn Montana, who rode in the parade, said the vehicle she was in had to make sudden stops several times to avoid the children.