Snyder Township supervisors have scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, July 17 at 9 a.m. to discuss the proposed Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act.
LERTA would establish tax exemptions for real property located within deteriorated areas of the county designated by local municipalities.
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, starting with 100 percent forgiveness for the first year; 20 percent the second; 40 percent the third; 60 percent the fourth and 80 percent the fifth year. After five years, full property taxes can be collected on the property.
The purpose of LERTA is to attract businesses to the area to either improve an existing building or to build a new business in order to create jobs and revenue.
ABCD Corporation was contemplating a combined public hearing for all prospective participants of the LERTA District to explain the benefits of the program. However, there are no plans of the meeting as of yet, and Snyder Township solicitor Allen Gibboney advised the supervisors that they must have a public hearing about LERTA before acting on the proposed ordinance.
Supervisor James Chronister asked Gibboney if the whole township could be turned into a LERTA zone. Gibboney said it seems that ABCD has set the proposed LERTA area, but the supervisors do not have to follow those guidelines and can determine the boundaries of the LERTA zone for their township.
Engineer Bill Gohn gave an update on the sewer extension project in California Hollow. He said they had the startup at the pump station, but it encountered a problem with a relay in the pump control panel. It was also not getting the flow through the meter that was needed.
Gohn determined that it was a problem with air. Air releases were installed, but the problem persisted. Because of the problems, the contractor, Glenn Johnson, had to relay 300 feet of pipe in front of Reese’s and relay 150 feet of pipe on the pump side.
The system now pumps 90 gallons to 115 gallons a minute, and Gohn said they are going to put it through some more tests to make sure it is working properly. He also said it is fortunate the station has a flow meter to make sure the pumps are doing what is needed and that other stations in the township should be equipped with flow meters.
Gohn gave an update on the Home Project and said the township opened bids on three more homes and are in the process of reviewing the bids. Also, three more candidates were interviewed to try to get them qualified for repairs on their homes.
Another program mentioned by Gohn was the Dirt and Gravel Road Program where the township could receive a grant to improve Gypsy Camp Hollow, Hoovers Lane and Beaston Road. A special formula that New Enterprise and Penn State formulated would be placed on the roads which has the appearance of pavement but is not real pavement. However, it will make an eight inch covering to keep down the dirt and dust in front of people’s homes.
In other news the township supervisors voted to:
• renew the Municipal Winter Traffic Services Agreement with PennDot in the amount of $696.38 from PennDot;
• elect Supervisor Ray Rodgers and Secretary Viola Dysart to represent the township for the Watershed Plan Advisory Committee;
• award bid for road project to New Enterprise in the amount of $29,505.70.
