News – Page 60 – SEDA Council of Governments

SEDA-COG wraps up successful year for Local Technical Assistance Program

Posted on January 14, 2020January 14, 2020 by DNS Admin

In 2019, over 220 people benefited from roadway safety and maintenance training courses through a joint effort of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG).

Through the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), SEDA-COG sponsored 13 free training courses on roadway safety and maintenance issues last year. These classes were held in five central Pennsylvania counties, attracting 227 students – an average of 17 students per class.

Some training topics included salt and snow management, work zone traffic control, roadside vegetation control, bridge maintenance, and local road safety plans.

Attendees mostly were elected municipal officials and staff, including public works directors, roadmasters, foremen, managers, laborers, equipment operators, engineers, and law enforcement.

State College Borough was the area municipality that sent the largest number of attendees (35) to courses held in the area.

Eric Brooks, State College Borough Operations Manager, expressed praise for the essential and practical training. “We want our employees to work safely and efficiently along our municipal roadways. LTAP has provided our staff with the necessary education to achieve these goals, while also offering the opportunity to network with expert instructors and peers from other municipalities. I wholeheartedly recommend taking advantage of the LTAP services, as they have been invaluable for State College Borough,” Brooks said.

In 2019, SEDA-COG staff also helped connect municipalities to free technical assistance services (tech assists) available through LTAP. In total, there were 20 tech assists completed for area municipalities by LTAP experts, resulting in training for 34 municipal officials.

Tech assists were given on traffic studies, traffic counts, establishing speed limits, bridge maintenance, asphalt maintenance, proper signage, pavement markings, parking restrictions, traffic calming alternatives, and more.

LTAP classes currently scheduled for early 2020 include:

Work Zone (Temporary) Traffic Control
Teaches about proper work zone set-up requirements, traffic control devices, and flagging procedures.
8 a.m. – noon March 3
State College Borough Maintenance Garage
330 S. Osmond St.
State College, Pa. 16801

8 a.m. – noon April 9
Patton Township Building
100 Patton Plaza
State College, Pa. 16803

Asphalt Roads
Covers the latest techniques, materials, and equipment for addressing asphalt distress.
8 a.m. – noon March 10
Ferguson Township Building
3147 Research Drive
State College, Pa. 16801

Liquid Bituminous Seal Coat
Presents information necessary to properly plan and execute a seal coat operation for extending the useful life of municipal roads.
8 a.m. – noon March 11
Boggs Township Community Building
1290 Runville Road
Bellefonte, Pa. 16823

Safe Driver
Presents how to develop safe driving behaviors, skills, and awareness.
8 a.m. – noon April 16
Patton Township Building
100 Patton Plaza
State College, Pa. 16803

Equipment & Worker Safety
Provides a basic understanding of common safety factors and practices associated with road maintenance operations, including crack sealing, mowing, trench excavation, chain saw use, and snow plowing.
8 a.m. – noon May 7
Patton Township Building
100 Patton Plaza
State College, Pa. 16803

8 a.m. – noon May 20
Point Township Building
759 Ridge Road
Northumberland, Pa. 17857

PennDOT has been providing LTAP services to municipalities since 1983. LTAP is based on the premise that new technologies and procedures developed at the state and federal levels should be transferred to local municipal officials and employees for improving the overall transportation system.

Each year, free PennDOT LTAP training and technology transfer programs train and assist nearly 5,000 municipal employees statewide in effective maintenance procedures, essential safety practices, and infrastructure management processes.

LTAP classes may be sponsored at the request of municipalities. To register for any of the classes or learn more about other LTAP activities in the SEDA-COG region, please contact Steve Herman at 570-524-4491 or email sherman@seda-cog.org. LTAP news and information is available at gis.penndot.gov/ltap.

SUMMER STEM camp opportunity for students and teachers

Posted on January 9, 2020January 9, 2020 by DNS Admin

The federal Appalachian Regional Commission released information for a summer STEM camp for middle and high school students as well as high school teachers at the Oak Rid National Laboratory in Tennessee.

The Application period for Oak Ridge will close on Friday, February 28th 2020.

The 2020 ARC summer STEM program information has been posted on the ARC website at ARC Oak Ridge 2020 Summer STEM Programs

• Appalachian Regional Commission/Oak Ridge National Laboratory 2020 High School Summer Math-Science-Technology Institute for students and teachers.

• Appalachian Regional Commission/Oak Ridge National Laboratory 2020 Middle School Summer Science Academy for students.

The numbers of participants and applications that may be submitted are limited as follows:

• The high school program will be limited to a maximum of 52 participants: 26 students and 26 teachers. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will not be able to accommodate any additional participants.

• ARC will accept a maximum of ten high school applications per state (students and teachers combined). We encourage you to nominate at least four students and four teachers from each state; this includes “alternates” to fill the positions of those who change their minds.

The middle school program will be limited to a maximum of 26 student participants (students only, no teachers).

• ARC will accept a maximum of five middle school applications per state, two designated participants and up to three alternates. ARC encourages states to select all applicants from the same school, as this provides a better experience for the students and eases transportation arrangements.

ARC-ORNL Summer-STEM 2020 Flyer Download

SEDA-COG’s 2020 board officers elected

Posted on December 5, 2019December 30, 2019 by DNS Admin

Board officers for SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) were elected at Wednesday’s public meeting. The 2020 SEDA-COG Board of Directors’ officers are Columbia County Commissioner Rich Ridgway, president; Juniata County Commissioner Mark Partner, first vice president; Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish, second vice president, Larry Reisinger of Perry County, secretary; and Dennis Van Benthuysen of Snyder County, treasurer. Board member appointments and reappointments will take place in January.

The SEDA-COG board is a 22-member, county-based policy board representing both public and private sectors. SEDA-Council of Governments enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.

Shamokin residents may receive no-cost home repairs

Posted on December 1, 2019December 30, 2019 by DNS Admin

The City of Shamokin anticipates applying for a 2020 $500,000 housing rehabilitation grant next year, and city residents are encouraged to apply now to get on the waiting list to receive no-cost home repairs.

Homeowners within the city limits may be eligible to receive up to $65,000 in home improvements from the HOME Existing Owner-Occupied Housing Program.

Interested residents may call SEDA-COG’s Danielle King at 800-326-9310.

Eligible repairs include structural, roofing, plumbing, electrical, heating/furnace, window replacement, radon and lead-based paint mitigation, and energy-related improvements. Also included are modifications for mobility-impaired residents. There is no cost to homeowners who maintain home residency over a five-year period from the date of signing.

Homeowners can go through the process hassle-free with SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) managing it from start to finish, said Teri Provost, director of the agency’s Housing Rehabilitation program.

“We make the process easy for the homeowner and manage it from start to finish,” Provost said.

Qualifications:

Own the home or have Life Rights to live in it;
Meet income qualifications based on household size;
Be current on local taxes and municipal utility bills;
Provide proof of homeowner’s insurance;
Live in the home an additional five years.

Additional requirements may apply.

Annual Gross Income Limits:
Family size: 1 – $35,400; 2 – $40,450; 3 – $45,500; 4 – $50,550; 5 – $54,600; 6 – $58,650; 7 – $62,700; 8 – $66,750.