Snyder Township supervisors discussed changing the name of Old Route 220 North because of emergency dispatcher 911 regulations.
Centre County has already changed the name of the road that runs through Port Matilda to Eagle Valley Road. The proposed plan is for Snyder Township to change the name of the road that runs from the Bald Eagle intersection through to the Westvaco Bridge to either South Eagle Valley Road or a different name based on what supervisors and the public can agree on.
According to 911 files, the road is Business Route 220. People who live along the road will need to change their addresses from an RD3 box number to a four digit number and street name to fit the 911 regulations so that emergency personnel can respond to calls faster. Supervisors have a limited time to change the name of the road to anything they would like before the new 911 system takes effect.
Some residents brought up the point that the road that runs through Northwood is already called Main Street. Another resident said that he just moved into the township and that a 911 dispatcher said the road was called Business Route 220. Since there are questions about the changing of the name of the road, the issue will be discussed further at a special meeting held Thursday, June 19 at 7 p.m., and the name will be decided upon then.
Also discussed at the meeting held last evening was the possibility of parts of Snyder Township becoming a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance District.
The Altoona-Blair County Development Corporation is in discussion with boroughs, townships and school districts to get LERTA passed for the Northern I-99 Enterprise Zone. LERTA forgives property taxes over a five year period in order to attract businesses to improve their buildings and stay in the area.
When a business improves property, the property taxes go up. If the business improved the property in a LERTA zone, the property taxes would be forgiven for a time as an incentive.
Supervisors and solicitor Allen Gibboney are in discussion about the LERTA District for Snyder Township. Also, ABCD Corporation is contemplating a combined public hearing for all prospective participants of the LERTA District in the future to explain the benefits of the program.
Township engineer Bill Gohn gave an update on the California Hollow Project and said that the road will be in excellent condition when it is finished. He also said people should be able to connect onto the pump station sometime next week.
Gohn also gave an update on the Home Project and said it was a success last year. This year the township was able to acquire $350,000 in grant money for the project. The first three people were interviewed, qualified, and their homes have been inspected. The bids for the contractors went out and should return to the township by June 25.
The purpose of the Home Project is for the township to provide assistance to those residents who are income eligible and for the money to go to needed home repairs. Forty-nine residents have showed interest in the Home Project already this year, and Gohn said there is a lot of interest for the project from residents. He said there are already plans for applying for grant money to do the same project for next year.
Gohn also talked about a grant program titled the Dirt and Gravel Road Program that is produced by the Blair County Conservation District. Grant money can be awarded to the township if there is a need to pave roads that are dirt and gravel. Ten sites have been identified already that are eligible for paving. Gohn recommended sending the application for the grant money by June 27, and it was approved by the supervisors. One of the roads eligible for the paving is Gypsy Camp Hollow.
In other business, two ordinances were discussed by supervisors and the public. The nuisance ordinance for junkyards was brought up and ways of enforcement. Also, the proposed mercantile ordinance which would require new businesses coming into Snyder Township to register was discussed. These ordinances along with the name change of Old Route 220 North are scheduled to be discussed at the special meeting on Thursday, June 19 at 7 p.m.
