MAYVILLE - Those who rely on CARTS as a mode of transportation are able to continue doing so.
The county is continuing an agreement with the state, allowing County Executive Greg Edwards to sign for agreements or contracts to bring in grant money for operating assistance for the bus company. A resolution to continue the agreements was passed by the Public Facilities Committee on Tuesday.
David Himelein, committee chair, R-Findley Lake, explained that in the past, the county has had a 10-year contract with the state.
Cheryl Gustafson, senior project coordinator, spoke to the committee regarding the resolution. Due to changes in the system, the county will now agree to a six-year contract.
Federal financial assistance is available throughout the U.S. for public transportation in rural and small urban areas by way of a formula grant program to be administered by the state. The county receives operating assistance for CARTS.
"They have routes pretty much throughout the whole county. They have either standard routes or you can call them and they will come and pick you up," Himelein said.
According to Himelein, the resolution is not out of the ordinary.
Furthermore, the committee appointed two new members to the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer Districts board. Karen Rine of Jamestown replaced Dudley Ericson and Vincent Horrigan, R-Bemus Point, replaced Jay Gould, R-Ashville, on the board.
The Public Facilities Committee also passed a resolution to appoint board members to the North County Industrial Water District No. 1 and the North County Industrial Sewer District No. 1.
"The same five people serve as the board for both districts. We're just reappointing and appointing one new person, because there was a vacancy," Himelein said.
The committee appointed Brian Purol of Jamestown as chairman; James Crowell of Dunkirk; Edward Divine of Dunkirk; Mark Wojcinski of Dunkirk; and Juan Pagan of Dunkirk to the boards.
Tom DeJoe, D-Brocton, suggested during the meeting that the committee consider combining the North County Industrial Water District No. 1 and the North County Industrial Sewer District No. 1 boards into a single board, as the two have the same members. Himelein said the committee may potentially look into the logistics of doing so in the future.