TYRONE — Eligible elderly and lower-income homeowners in Tyrone Borough can apply for this year’s allocation of the Blair County Housing Rehabilitation program for essential repairs and necessary improvements to their homes.

This year, Tyrone Borough will receive $108,743 from the community development block grant program, according to Trina Illig, Blair County’s grants coordinator for community development. After Blair County takes 18% of the allocation for administration fees, the remaining amount of funding for projects is $89,173, she said.

The money can be used for everything from public service projects to water and sewer and “everything in between,” Illig said, noting officials must prove that no less than 70% of the funding benefits families with low and moderate incomes.

During Monday’s meeting, Tyrone Borough Council members approved the cooperative agreement that will be used for low-income housing and rehabilitation, Mayor William Latchford said.

Funding for the program comes through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the state Department of Community and Economic Development each year, according to Latchford, adding the county administers the program and the borough approves any projects that are funded.

Besides the dates and dollar amounts, there are no changes from the borough’s previous cooperative agreement, Illig said.

“It’s the same agreement as it’s been for the past several years,” he said during the meeting.

Borough officials approved a resolution to advertise for a council vacancy, left by former councilman Rob Poust, who resigned last month after moving out of the borough, Solicitor Dan Stants said.

The borough is seeking interested candidates to fill the vacancy and a new member is expected to be appointed at the council’s Nov. 10 meeting, Stants said.

Officials also approved a request from Police Chief Jessica Walk to hire two part-time police officers.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Bridgette Gill said people are riding electronic bikes on sidewalks along Pennsylvania Avenue.

That’s becoming an issue within the borough, Gill said, adding, “I’ve seen a few elderly people almost get taken out by them.”

Interim Borough Manager Kim Gurekovich said electronic bikes “weren’t a thing” when the borough’s safety codes were written. She acknowledged that officials are looking into the situation.

During the meeting, council members directed Stants to investigate an ordinance to deal with electronic bicycles on sidewalks.