Forest County commissioners presented updates on vaccine distribution in the county and broadband access at their meeting Wednesday.
“We are working on a vaccination plan,” commissioner Bob Snyder said. He added that commissioners have been in close contact with the state Department of Health.
Snyder said there are places such as some pharmacies and Clarion Hospital where people who are eligible for the vaccine under the state’s first phase can go for their shot.
“Everyone wants to get the vaccine to those who are eligible to be vaccinated,” commissioners chairman Mark Kingston said.
Besides logistical challenges with distributing the vaccine and limits to the supply, commissioners said making sure people have the correct information about when they can get vaccinated is also a challenge.
“The rules keep changing depending on who you talk to. One person says people 75 and older are eligible for the vaccine, another person says no, it’s 65 and up,” commissioner Basil Huffman said. “You hate to give people answers and then find out it is wrong. Then people say you are lying,” Huffman added.
On another topic, Kingston said the county’s broadband project is moving ahead.
“They are hooking up customers today,” Kingston said. “Everyone has been very happy with it.”
Snyder said “we are producing flyers to hang on doors here soon.”
The $14,750 for the project will come from Community Development Block Grant money that had already been approved for that use.
Commissioners also approved an agreement between the county and Tionesta Borough for the use of CDBG funds for the demolition of an abandoned house at 138 Elm St. The cost of the demolition is $23,094, and the funds had already been approved for that use.
And the panel approved an agreement between the county and Jenks Township to replace 1,230 feet of sidewalk with curb ramps along Hemlock and Spruce streets in Marienville at a cost of $86,000 that will come from CDBG funds previously approved for the project.