At the Feb. 1st Pike County Commissioners Meeting, Delaware Highlands Conservancy representative, Amanda Subjin, reported on the Shop Local, Save Land Program, an initiative that is several years in progress. The initiative, which has its own website which is updated often, is an educational program to identify local farms and farmers markets where residents and visitors can shop for everything from a wide variety of foods to various plants and flowers, from maple syrup to wines – even a place to get pygmy goats.
“Anyone can still be added to the new guide,” Ms Subjin said, which should become available by Memorial Day. Just in time for the local farmer's markets to become popular tourist destinations.
The Commissioners approved two motions to supply a sponsorship in the amount of $6000 – one from the AG Land Preservation Program's Operating Account for $1000, the other for $5000 from the Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program.
They also voted to approve execution of Amendment #1 of the Scenic Rural Character Preservation Grant with Delaware Highlands Conservancy to increase the grant from $500,000 to $600,000 for the conservation easement on the Beaver Run Hunting and Fishing Club property. The increase is due to a recent survey that identified 70 new acres – bringing the total easement to 858.4 acres – and to an updated property value assessment.
In other votes of note, the Commissioners approved advertisement of vehicles seized as part of drug forfeitures, an increase of payments to G. R. Noto to improve lighting designs in the new EMS building construction (totaling $29,057) in the IT, EOC and 911 dispatcher rooms, and personnel hiring in Pike County Court offices, Pike County Transportation offices, Pike County Correctional Facilities and the Sheriff's department.
Also of note, was the report by Pike County Planning Commission representative Jessica Grohmann.
Ms Grohman reported the information on the SRCP Grant for the Beaver Run property. She also explained that a portion of the easement is being donated back to the state for any future needs – such as for a foot-traffic or horse traffic bridge. In response to a question Ms Grohman pointed out that of the $20 million grant approved, the SRCP had only spent and estimated $5.8 Million, with the state providing matching funds of $5.3 million.
Also, on the weekly agenda were payments of County Bills ($363,664.67), payment from the Bond Account, Series B to reimburse the general Fund ($101,912.23), Payment for Liquid Fuels for 2011-2012 plowing ($7,193.00), payment from the Hotel Tax Fund to idGroup for 2011 4th Quarter / 2012 1st Quarter ($1,494.00) and payment from the PC Employees' Health Insurance Fund for insurance premiums ($94,851.45).
Finally, in addressing the construction of the new EMS building, County Solicitor Thomas Farley reported that negotiations between the County Engineer and the general contractor resulted in being able to supply substitute air handlers of similar or better quality. “And,” Solicitor Farley pointed out with some pride, the new air handlers were “made in America.” The cost of the new handlers to be born by the contractor and should not delay the opening / occupancy of the new Emergency Management building, which is slated for “sometime” in May 2012. The contractor work is due to be completed withn the next several weeks, according to Commissioner Rich Caridi, who thanked everyone involved in the project – especially giving “kudos” to the County Engineer for all his work.
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