Franklin County Commissioners briefs

March 19, 2003|by STACEY DANZUSO

County to take part in weather exercise

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Franklin County will join other counties in Central Pennsylvania today in a weather emergency exercise.

This week is Weather Emergency Preparedness Week in Pennsylvania and the state's 67 counties are holding severe weather exercise drills as part of the observance.

During the exercise, the National Weather Service will issue exercise-based severe weather reports over normal reporting channels.

Franklin County Emergency Services will funnel that information to area schools, nursing homes and day care centers to test response plans, said Don Eshleman Jr., emergency services coordinator.

He said the annual drill takes place prior to severe weather that is common in Pennsylvania in the spring and early summer.

On Tuesday, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners signed a proclamation designating this week as Weather Emergency Preparedness Week.

In 1998, severe tornadoes caused extensive losses and damage to private and public property, and in 1999, Hurricanes Floyd and Dennis caused extensive flooding in 15 counties, officials said.

In preparation for similar future disasters, on Friday there will also be a statewide test of the Emergency Alert System, which is a voluntary network of local radio and television stations that serve as the primary alert and notification system of emergency information to the public.

Senior center work slated to begin April 1

MERCERSBURG, Pa. - Renovations to the Tuscarora Senior Activity Center in Montgomery Township will begin April 1.

The improvements will include new doors, restroom upgrades and new lighting fixtures.

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday awarded a contract to ECI Service, of Dillsburg, Pa., for $47,864.

The county is using funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging to pay for the improvements.

The center opened in 1999 and serves an average of 40 participants on a daily basis, as well as more than 650 hot noon meals and 200 home-delivered meals a month.

Franklin County has used similar state grants to renovate senior centers in Fort Loudon, Greencastle, Upper Strasburg and Path Valley.

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