24-03-2025
Cambria recreation authority hires maintenance specialist, transfers city lots to JRA
EBENSBURG, Pa. – Maintenance motions topped the agenda at Friday's meeting of the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority.
The group approved the hire of a new maintenance specialist, Vincent Heiss, and transferred five properties along Somerset Street in Johnstown's Kernville section to the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority.
CCCRA Executive Director Cliff Kitner said the actions will be a benefit to the organization, both in helping with workload and in alleviating property care stress.
'Obviously, with all the trail we're building, I want to eliminate some of our maintenance,' Kitner said.
The five Kernville properties were donated to the authority years ago as part of the Urban Connectivity project that aims to connect pathways through the city. Kitner said there are some structures on the lots that still need to be removed, but it's unclear if that might happen.
When Vision Together 2025 approached the authority about acquiring a lot to build a home there, it made sense to offer all five to the JRA so the properties could be put to use, Kitner said. He added that hauling the authority's equipment to work in that area can be difficult, as well.
Board member Brad Clemenson suggested a right-of-way be recorded on the deeds during the transfers to allow for the potential development of a trail in the future. It has been proposed, as part of the connectivity project, that a trail follow Somerset Street along the river.
'Something to talk about,' Clemenson said. 'I don't think we have to resolve it right now.'
Kitner told him that's a discussion that can be had with the parties involved.
As for Heiss, Kitner said he'll be a 'tremendous asset' to the organization. Following the retirement of longtime maintenance specialist Bruce Eash in January, the authority was left solely with specialist Alex Cruley.
Kitner said it made sense to have two specialists to help take care of the trails, due to the amount of county-owned and maintained trails doubling since Kitner's start more than 10 years ago.
In other business, the board was updated on the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grant project for the Ghost Town Trail extension.
Next week, bids will be put out for two bridges between the North Street trailhead in Blacklick Township and Nanty Glo, where the path will meet the Ghost Town Trail C&I Extension and complete the largest rail-trail loop on the East Coast once finished.
Kitner said all the permits are in place and that loop will be completed this year, which is a relief. He compared the feeling to nearing the end of a marathon and getting a burst of energy out of excitement to finish.
'When you start something and you think it's going to be forever, but now you see the light at the end of the tunnel, it's like, 'Wow, we're going to cross that finish line,' ' he said.
