Commissioners approve easement for gas valve site
WAYNESBURG – Greene County commissioners granted an easement Thursday for a natural gas valve site to be placed in a county-owned park after county officials determined that there are no restrictions placed on the use of the property.
Last month, commissioners approved an agreement with MarkWest Liberty Midstream and Resources that would allow the company to run an 8-inch natural gas pipeline through Dreamer’s Park on Day Road in Richhill Township.
County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall said that through the agreement, the company would pay the county a total of $17,700 for the pipeline easement.
At the commissioners’ meeting on March 2, a follow-up agreement was placed on the agenda to approve a 150-square-foot site where a valve would be located for the pipeline. Marshall said the company would pay the county $6,600 for the valve site.
However, commissioners decided to table action on the valve site easement agreement at that meeting after a veteran voiced concerns that there may be restrictions on the property and encouraged officials to research the park’s history.
Robert Donnan of Peters Township told the commissioners that he learned of the county’s intentions to allow a gas pipeline and valve site to be placed on that property and he was concerned because the park features a monument that is dedicated to area veterans.
Donnan, who also said he was concerned about gas drilling in the area, asked the commissioners if there were any restrictions on the property that could prevent the county from allowing any easement agreements.
Commissioners agreed to table action on the agreement, and Marshall and county solicitor Cheryl Cowen said the deed would be researched for restrictions.
Dreamer’s Park consists of 15.5 acres of property that features a granite monument erected to honor soldiers and sailors of the American Revolution, Civil War, Spanish American War and World War I.
The estate of I.N. Dreamer paid for the monument, which was built in 1965. Dreamer and several other family members are reportedly buried at the park.
On Thursday, the commissioners officially approved the agreement after it was determined that the property deed cites no restrictions.
Marshall said the deed indicates that the county gained ownership of the property in 1968 after it was purchased from a Claysville widow for $1.
Marshall also said that the pipeline and valve would not affect the monument or graves and would be placed away from the monument, which sits on an acre of usable land; the rest of the property is densely wooded, he said.
In other matters, commissioners signed an agreement with Teleosoft Inc. of York for the purchase of updated computer software for the county offices of prothonotary, clerk of courts and jury commissioners.
The agreement will cost the county roughly $20,000 for each office.
Scott Kelley, county information technology director, said the cost will include new software and the installation and configuration of the software, as well as provide for training and support services.
Kelley said the new Windows-based software will replace the old system, which has been used by the county for more than 30 years. The new software will enhance operations for the three offices and will allow for documents to be scanned and placed directly on the county network, as well as enable the offices to back up and/or recover lost files.
The total cost of $20,000 includes $15,000 for programming and $5,000 for data migration; the costs will be paid for through the county’s and row offices’ records improvement funds and not general fund money, Kelley explained.
Kelley said the county will experience “substantial savings over the long term” by eliminating the antiquated system and using the new software.
Kelley added that the county has worked with Teleosoft in the past; the company has assisted with election night reporting sites, the database for the mental health program, and applications for the sheriff’s office.
“We have found them to be extremely reliable,” he said.
In other business, commissioners proclaimed this month as National Women’s Military History Month. The proclamation recognizes the contributions and sacrifices of women in the military throughout history.
Dalene Watson, county director of veterans affairs, accepted the proclamation and spoke about the history of women in the military, noting that many women disguised themselves or used male pseudonyms to enlist during the Revolutionary and Civil wars.
Today, more than 200,000 women are on active duty, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.