Grant will fund surveillance cameras at Blair County Central Court
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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Blair County commissioners approved Thursday morning a grant-funded surveillance project, which will add nine cameras to the Central Court building.
Court administrator Sam Dunkle told commissioners that a nearly $19,000 grant awarded to the county from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts would cover the cost of the camera installations in areas used for holding inmates awaiting court proceedings at the district magistrate's office at 615 Fourth St.
There are no cameras in the holding area where corrections officer Rhonda Russell was shot on Nov. 17, 2021, before being pronounced dead at UPMC Altoona.
"This will give us complete coverage of the cells, the hallways, the security officer," Dunkle said. "This will enhance the safety and security of Central Court."
Commissioners Amy Webster and Laura Burke were happy with the project's progression, with Burke saying, "It is nice to see this finally happen."
"We're really happy that the AOPC is funding this because that really helps us out," Webster said. "And obviously we had some security issues."
The commissioners also approved the payment of about $12,750 for phase two of the courthouse clock tower restoration project.
"Once we have approval, I'm going to be scheduling with them," County Public Works Manager Nick
Burket said. "So they'll probably start hearing in the next few weeks."
The project has three phases, with phase two having a contractor replacing the clock's four faces. The clock faces will also be illuminated from within so the tower is lit at night.
Phase two will be paid for out of the funds raised by Dunkle and the Fort Fetter American Legion earlier this year.
In other matters, the commissioners approved a motion to ratify a letter of engagement from Blair County to Comber Miller LLC in Pittsburgh for legal services in interacting with the public utility commission.
During their Oct. 1 meeting, commissioners approved a motion to send a letter of engagement from Blair County to HMS Legal in Harrisburg for legal services and advice regarding a bridge repair/replacement dispute with Norfolk Southern.
The commissioners intend to ask the public utility commission to consider allowing a shorter height for the Juniata Eighth Street Bridge due to the costs involved with replacing not only that bridge but two others in the three-bridge span.
Burke had explained following the Oct. 1 meeting that Norfolk Southern has a 24-foot height requirement for bridges spanning railways. Currently, the Juniata Eighth Street Bridge is 20 feet.
Burke said if the bridge's height had to be raised, the grade to ascend and descend the bridge would be "incredibly steep" and it would therefore have to be extended on either side.
As there are homes on one side of the bridge and businesses on the other, their road access would be cut off by a bridge extension, Burke said.
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor-Musselman is at 814-946-7458.