Bradford County boards to weigh fee hike, solar projects, hires
Bradford County's commissioners and planning commission have several consequential items on their agendas this week, but none have been decided yet. All three recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published, meaning the items below are proposals and requests under consideration, not final actions.
Commissioners
The Bradford County Commissioners met Aug. 13 with a full agenda that includes a proposed fee increase, new hires, a contract, and tax exemptions.
- **Hazardous chemical fee hike:** Ordinance 2026-03 would raise hazardous chemical fees from $50.00 to $75.00.
- **Personnel hires:** The board is set to approve hiring Trevor Bobb as a part-time corrections officer at $15.00 per hour, effective Aug. 12, 2026, and Suzette ONeil as a part-time casual library clerk/driver at $14.56 per hour, effective Aug. 24, 2026.
- **Treatment Court agreement:** A contract with Evolve Addiction Recovery LLC for the Treatment Court, effective Mar. 1, 2026.
- **Veteran's tax exemptions:** Exemptions for Thomas Forbes (214 Olive St, Sayre) and Judith M. Page (606 Welles Ave, Athens).
The board also planned to set the 2027 holiday schedule and amend prior meeting minutes.
Prison Board
The Bradford County Prison Board also met Aug. 13, but its agenda was strictly procedural: call to order, visitor remarks, approval of minutes from July 9, 2026, a warden's report, and sections for communications, unfinished business, new business, and a possible executive session. No specific decisions or discussion topics were listed.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission met twice on Aug. 18, with agendas covering a wide range of land-use and development applications.
Solar projects: The commission is reviewing several solar proposals, including:
- **Bradford Solar:** a 100.5 MW AC utility-scale facility in Burlington, Franklin, Monroe, and Towanda townships (a modification was added at the start of the meeting).
- **PAL115 Tarbox Solar Project** (Canton Twp): 3 MW, about 6,625 panels, seeking conditional/preliminary approval.
- **PAL113 Solar Project** (Sheshequin Twp): 3 MW, about 6,360 panels, seeking conditional/preliminary approval.
- **Vato Solar** (Orwell Twp) was also listed.
Other applications: The commission will consider a fuel station and convenience store from D&C Fuels in Wyalusing Borough (seeking a 90-day extension and conditional preliminary approval), a final approval for the PVR Marcellus compressor station in Canton Twp, and a parking expansion for Dandy Mini Mart in Sayre Borough ($0.48M).
Subdivision waivers: Multiple requests seek waivers from on-lot septic or street frontage requirements, including from the Mark P. Cook Trust (49-acre split, septic waiver), Cecil & Mechelle Perry, Dawn & Kyle Chaapel (West Burlington Twp), Steury (Sheshequin Twp), and Kennedy (Smithfield Twp, two requests).
The commission also received a monthly report showing 43 subdivision/land development applications pending.
Coming up
No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days, according to the provided data. Residents should check the county's official meeting calendar for any newly posted agendas.