THEBOROUGH OF BOSWELL Somerset County, Pennsylvania
COMPREHENSIVEPLAN
Prepared for: BOSWELL BOROUGH COUNCIL Somerset County, Pennsylvania
Prepared by: RICHARD C. SUTTER & ASSOCIATES, INC. Comprehensive PlannersLand PlannersMistoric Preservation Planners The Manor House, PO Box 564 Hollidays bu rg, Pennsylvania 16648
1621 Chestnut Ridge Drive Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15205
1997 I I TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
TITLEPAGE ...... i I .. TRANSMITTALLETTER ...... 11
.I. TABLE OF CONTENTS ...... 111 i LISTOFMAPS ...... iv LISTOFFIGURES ...... iv LISTOFTABLES ...... v I ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...... vi I INTRODUCTION ...... vii I. BACKGROUND STUDY: PHASE I
I A. Population ...... I-A,l B. Historic and Cultural Resources ...... I-B, 1 I C. Economy ...... I-C,1 D. Physiography ...... I-D,l E. Community Facilities and Public Utilities ...... I-E, 1 I F. LandUse ...... I-F,l G. Transportation ...... I-G, 1 H. Housing ...... I-H,l I I. Municipal Finance ...... I-I,1 J. Strenghs and Weaknesses ...... I-J,l
I II. PLAN ELEMENTS: PHASE II
A. Goals and Objectives ...... 11-A,1 I B. Land Use Plan ...... 11-B,l C. Housingplan ...... 11-C, 1 D. Transportation Plan ...... 11-D, 1 I E. Community Facilities and Public Utilities Plan ...... 11-E, 1 F. Economic Development Plan ...... 11-F, 1 I G. Statement of Interrelationship of Plan Components ...... 11-G, 1 H. Contiguous Municipalities Relationship Statement ...... 11-H, 1 I I. Implementation Tools and Strategy ...... 11-1, 1 I I I ... I 111 LIST OF MAPS
MAP # TITLE PAGE
PHASE I. BACKGROUND STUDIES:
1. Vicinity of Bosweil in 1830 ...... I.B. 3 2 . Vicinity of Boswell in 1860 ...... I.B. 4 3 . Boswellin 1909 ...... I.B. 6 4 . Boswellin 1930 ...... I.B. 8 5 . Boswell Historic District ...... I.B. 11 6 . Underlying Geologic Structure ...... I.D. 2 7 . Regional Topographic Map ...... I.D. 4 8 . Slope ...... I.D. 5 9 . Floodplains ...... I.D. 7 10. Soils ...... I.D. 10 11. Hydrological Characteristics ...... I.D. 1 1 12. Community Facilities ...... I.E. 6 13. Existing Land Use ...... I.F. 2 14 . Development Constraints ...... I.F. 6 15. Traffic Volumes and Roadway Classification ...... I.G. 6
PHASE II. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
16. Future Land Use ...... 1I.B. 5
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE# TITLE PAGE
A- 1 Population Change. 1980- 1990 ...... I.A. 1 A-2 Age Structure. 1990 ...... I.A. 5 A- 3 Educational Attainment. 1990 ...... I.A. 8 c-1 Time to Work. 1990 ...... I.C. 2 c-2 Employment Index. 1990 ...... I.C. 4 C-3 Income. 1990 ...... I.C. 4 H- 1 Renter/Owner Occupied Housing. 1990 ...... I.H. 3 H-2 Age of Homeowner. 1990 ...... I.H. 4 H-3 Year of Housing Unit Construction ...... I.H. 6 H-4 Housing Values. 1990 ...... I.H. 7 H- 5 Median Contract Rent. 1990 ...... I.H. 7
1 IV I LIST OF TABLES TABLE# TITLE PAGE I PHASE I. BACKGROUND STUDIES:
A-la Population Change 18 10- 1990 ...... I.A. 2 I A-lb Population Projection. 1990-2040 ...... I.A. 3 A- 1 Summary of Population Characteristics ...... I.A. 11 A-2 Demographic Change. 1980- 1990 ...... I.A. 12 i A-3 Age Structure of Population. 1990 ...... I.A. 13 A-4 Marital Status. Living Situations and Household Structure ...... I.A. 14 A- 5 Living Situations of Persons Under 18 and Over 65 Years of Age ...... I.A. 15 i A-6 Persons Per Family and Non-Family ...... I.A. 16 A-7 Sex by Age Mobility and Self-care Limitation Status ...... I.A. 17 I Ai8 Educational Attainment ...... I.A. 18 A-9 Ancestry ...... I.A. 19 A-10 Place of Birth and 1985 Place of Residence ...... I.A. 20 I c-1 Labor Force and Place of Work ...... I.C. 7 c-2 Time to Work. 1990 ...... I.C. 8 c-3 Employment by Occupation ...... I.C. 9 I* c-4 Labor Force by Industry ...... I.C. 10 c-5 Household Income. 1990 ...... I.C. 11 D- 1 Slopecategories ...... I.D. 3 I E- 1 North Star School District Enrollment. 1989-1996 ...... I.E. 2 F- 1 Existing Land Use Summary ...... I.F. 7 G- 1 Average Daily Traffic Counts ...... I.G. 5 I G-2 Road Classification ...... I.G. 7 G-3 PennDot 12 Year Transportation Plan ...... I.G. 8 H- 1 Housing Characteristics ...... I.H. 9 I H-2 Housing Characteristics (Continued) ...... I.H. 10 H-3 Value of Owner-Occupied Housing ...... I.H. 11 I H-4 Year of Housing Unit Construction ...... 1.H. 12 I- 1 Revenue Receipts. 1993-1997 ...... 1.1. 2 1-2 Expenditures. 1993- 1997 ...... 1.1. 3 I 1-3 Revenue Per Capita. 1992-1997 ...... 1.1. 4 1-4 Expenditures Per Capita. 1992- 1997 ...... 1.1. 4 1-5 Tax Rates. 1992-1997 ...... 1.1. 4 I 1-6 Operating Position. 1992- 1997 ...... 1.1. 5 1-7 Rate of Change in Property Value. 1993-1997 ...... 1.1. 5 I 1-8 Fiscal Capacity. 1993-1997 ...... 1.1. 6 PHASE II. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
I IIC-1 HUD Section 8 Income Levels. Somerset County. 1996 ...... 11-C. 7 IIF-1 Vacant Building in Boswell CBD. 1997 ...... 1I.F. 2 1 IIG-1 Plan Component Interrelationships & Implementation Considerations ...... 1I.G. 1
V 8 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The completion of a project as complex as this involves much time and a variety of disciplines. A great number of people have contributed to this volume. We would like to extend our acknowledgment and thanks to the following.
Boswell Borough Council
Andrew A. Panek, President Mary Ann DeLuca Nick Felice Joseph Hoffman LeAnn Kaltenbaugh Teresa Ann Matsko Jay Volk Barbara McIntosh, Secretary
Planning Committee
Nick Felice, Somerset County Redevelopment Authority Joseph Hoffman Christopher Ickes LeAnn Kaltenbaugh Randall Koontz Jackie Martella Mat Maurer Barbara McIntosh Andrew Panek Josephine Policicchio Jay Volk
This project was funded by:
The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Office of Strategic Planning and Operations, Small Communities Planning Assistance Program (SCPAP).
i VI I INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this document is to assemble, compile, and analyze all data pertinent to the past, present, and future development of the Borough of Boswell. This document will then formulate proposals and recommendations necessary for insuring the future orderly growth and development of the community.
This plan is intended to act as the guiding document to both public officials and those in the private sector. Additionally, this plan is intended to provide solutions for existing problems, and to capitalize on identified plans, opportunities, and resources to maximize benefits to Boswell and its residents.
The first ten sections of this document contain the background studies, which generally reveal the existing conditions within the municipality. There are exceptions to this. For example, the section on history and cultural resources provides information on how things were in the past.
The elements of the Comprehensive Development Plan are Goals and Objectives, the Land Use Plan, the Housing Plan, the Transportation Plan, the Community Facilities and Public Utilities Plan, the Economic Development Plan and the Capital Improvements Plan. Each of these plan elements builds on the background studies and contains recommendations for the future.
Planning is a dynamic process that must be maintained continuously. There are both short-term and long-range activities which must be pursued. The long-range activities may be easily shunted aside in favor of the immediate rewards of the short term. A consistent effort must be made to stay on top of the long-range plan proposals if future goals are to be achieved.
Also, recognize that while the plan is comprehensive in its coverage, it does not detail all of the administrative, design, and financial considerations which are necessary to carry out the respective proposals to successfbl conclusion. These must be addressed in the project planning and design phase of each respective proposal or project.
Thus, these plan recommendations are not always the ultimate solutions to the problems or needs of municipality. They are offered rather as an overall framework for action. The plan is designed to be a useful catalyst for the future.
The completion of the Comprehensive Development Plan does not mark the end of the planning process. It rather marks the beginning of the most vital phase of the planning program, that of implementation. It is within the implementation phase that the plans and recommendations contained within the Comprehensive Plan should be translated into action. The comprehensive planning process is a systematic and continuing process intended to aid in solving existing problems and providing for future needs.
v11 PHASE I: I I BACKGROUND STUDIES
PHASE I: BACKGROUND STUDIES
The initial step in the Comprehensive Planning process is to assemble, compile, and analyze all the data pertinent to the past, present, and future development of the community in a series of Background Studies. This process can be classified into a number of major categories. For this municipality, the following categories have been utilized: historic and cultural resources, physiography, land use, housing, population, economy, transportation, community facilities, public utilities, and municipal finances. I
Section A:
Population Analysis 1 POPULATION ANALYSIS
The Borough of Boswell is located in northern Somerset County, and is entirely surrounded by Jenner Township. Boswell is approximately 19 miles south by southwest of the City of Johnstown (which is in southern Cambria County), and 10 miles north of Somerset Borough. It is influenced by the economies of its County, its nearby cities, its nearby townships, and its neighboring boroughs such as Jennerstown, Stoystown, and Somerset. For the purposes of this analysis, Boswell will be compared to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a whole, Somerset County as a whole, Jenner Township, Quemahoning Township, the Borough of Jennerstown, the Borough of Stoystown, the Borough of Somerset, and the City of Johnstown. These eight entities will collectively be referred to in this section as the “study area.”
General Population Characteristics
In 1990, the population of Boswell was 1,485 residents. The Borough’s population has declined since 1970, when it was composed of 1,529 residents. However, this decline was mostly contained in the 1970s. In the 1970s, the population declined by 3.2% to 1,480 residents. Historically, Boswell peaked in the late 1950s with over 2,000 residents. See Table A-la. Similarly, Stoystown Borough and Johnstown declined in population -- although Johnstown’s decline of 16.4% was by far the highest in the study area. In contrast, from 1970 to 1980 the population of Somerset County and Jenner Township grew at 8.0% and 3.1% respectively. Pennsylvania’s population grew by nearly 1.O percent. All other entities in the study area also showed growth of no less than 3.3%. See Table A-1.
The 1980s slowed the rate of growth for each municipality in the study area. If one of the aforementioned eight entities was growing during the 1970s, then its rate of growth drastically declined in the 1980s or was reversed to a population loss. For example, Somerset County’s 8.0% growth during the 1970s turned into a 3.7% loss from 1980 to 1990. Jenner Township also reversed its growth and lost 5.4% of its residents during the decade. Population Change, 1980-1 990 Quemahoning Township, which grew Boswell Borough and Surrounding Region by 12.3% in the 1970s, lost almost 4 1 .O% of its residents during the 1980s. 3 Interestingly, the Borough of Boswell 2 I was the only municipality in the study 0 to not loose population in the 1980s -- -1 & -2 it gained 5 persons. The largest cs4 declines in the study were posted by o -4 Stoystown at 10.0% and the City of 54 Johnstown at 20%. Pennsylvania as a 3 -7 -8 whole grew by an anemic .I% in the -9 1980s. -1 0 -1 1 -1 2 -1 3 Pennsylvania Boswell Bar. Stoystown Bar. Somerset Cnty Jennerstown Bar. Somerset Bar. Jenner Twp. Quemahoning Twp Johnstown City
Figure A-l Source: 1990 US Census of Population and Housing -. . 1-A, I 1 TABLE A- 1a
POPULATION CHANGE, 1810-1990 Boswell Borough, Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and the U.S.
- 1810 810,091 11,284 7,23938 1 - - - 1820 1,049,458 13,974 9,638,4531 23.84% 29.55% 33.13% 1830 1,348,233 17,762 12,860,702I - 27.11% 28.47% 33.43%
1840 1,724,033 19,650 17,063,353I - 10.63 Yo 27.87% 32.68% 1850 - 2,3 11,786 24,416 23,191,876 - 24.25% 34.09% 35.92% 1860 2,906,2 15 26,778 3 1,443,32 1 9.67% 25.71% 35.58% 1870 3,521,951 28,226 38,558,371 5.41% 2 1 .19% 22.63% 1880 - 4,282,891 33,110 50,189,20S1- 17.30% 2 1.61% 30.16% 1890 - 5,258,113 37,3 17 62,979,766I 12.71% 22.77% 25.48%
1900 6,302,115 47,986 76,212,1681 28.59% 19.8 6% 21.01% 1910 1,814 7,665,111 67,678 92,228,496 4 1.04% 2 1.63% 2 1.02% 1920 2,168 8,720,O 17 82,112 106,021,537’ 13.76% 2 1.33% 13.76% 14.96% 1930 1,775 9,63 1,350 80,764 123,202,624! -10.45% -1.64% 10.45% 16.21% 1940 1,711 9,900,180 84,957 132,164,56S -2.79% 5.19% 2.79% 7.27% 1950 1,679 10,498,O12 81,813 151,325,7981 -6.04% -3.70% 6.04% 14.50% 1960 1,508 11,3 19,366 77,450 179,323,175i -7.82% -5.33% 7.82% 18.5 0% 1970 1,529 11,800,766 75,238 203,302,03 1 4.25% -2.86% 4.25% 13.37% 1980 1,480 11,864>720 81,243 226,542,19S -0.54% 7.98% 0.54% 1 1.43% -1990 1.485 11.88 1.643 78.2 18 248.709.87: 1 0.14% -3.72% 0.14% 9.79% Source: US Census of Population and Housing I
It should be noted that much of the Borough’s population gains can be attributed to large subsidized housing projects in the Borough.
As mentioned, Table A-1 indicates the basic population and population change data for the “study area.” Additionally, Figure A-1 is provided as a visual summary of population trends for the 1980s. It is interesting to note that the townships and Somerset County all share very similar patterns of growth and decline. Additionally, declines have taken place to a larger extent in the Boroughs and the City of Johnstown than in the townships and Somerset County as a whole. These trends are typical of regions with central population concentrations, such as a borough or city. One possible cause of population loss is a lack of employment opportunities in the boroughs. Also, as housing in the denser parts of the region grows older, such as downtown areas, residents move to open land with larger lots and newer housing. These trends have occurred in Jenner Township and in Somerset County. As the housing analysis indicates, much of Jenner Townships’ growth in the 1970s was a result of new suburban type housing in the rural areas.
1-A, L In 1990, Boswell’s population density was 2,121.4 persons per square mile. The Borough remains relatively less dense than many Boroughs in Pennsylvania as does Jenner Township. In 1990, Jenner ‘I Township had a density of only 62.5 persons per square mile. In comparison, Somerset Borough, with a much larger population of 6,454 people, had a density per square mile of 3,073.3 -- which is I about average for a Borough. Johnstown’s density of 4,935.8 persons per square mile is average for an urban area. Stoystown Borough, with a smaller population of 389 persons, had a similar density per square mile to Boswell’s -- 1,945.0 people per square mile. The Commonwealth contains the I largest rural population of any state in the nation, and has a density of 263.9 people per square mile. See Table A-2 for details. I Population Projection
In 1994, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Resources (DER) completed a population projection for Boswell Borough, taking trends from 1970 through 1990 and extrapolating them to the year 2040. The following table, A-lb, shows this projection -- a decline of 10.4% for the next 50 year period. Population projection models are not inherently able to accurately project past twenty years. Therefore, the population loss by 2020 should be relatively small according to present trends.
TABLE A-lb
Borough 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 Population 1,529 1.480 1.485 1.484 1.456 1.412 1,355 1,330 ?LO Change -3.2 .3 0 -1.9 -3.0 -4.0 -1.8
L I
Gender and Racial Composition
Also contained in Table A-2 are the gender and racial statistics for the study area. The figures reveal mostly normal trends for the female population. Since 1980, the Borough has maintained approximately 54% of its population as female. Interestingly, all areas of the study increased its percentage of females in the population during the 1980s. Additionally, all Boroughs and the City maintained a higher than normal percent of females -- averaging over 54%. The townships showed growth in the percentage female, but still remain well below Pennsylvania’s figure with Jenner and Quemahoning showing only around 5 1% female population. Pennsylvania’s percentage remained steady at 52.1% female. The trend for Boswell and much of the study area is somewhat expected since women generally outlive men and the Borough’s elderly population is higher than Pennsylvania’s figures. The Townships show a lower percentage of elderly.
The racial composition of the Borough, and all of the study area except the Commonwealth and the City of Johnstown, is insignificant. The racial composition for most all of the study areas are at or below one percent. As mentioned, Pennsylvania and Johnstown are the exceptions. The Commonwealth’s figure is at 9.2%, and showed very little change from 1980 to 1990. Johnstown’s figure was at 8.9% in 1990, an increase of .7% over 1980. I Age Structure of the Population .
I The median age for Boswell’s residents in 1990 was 33.5 years. This was lower than Pennsylvania’s median age, 34.0 years, which is the highest among all of the states according to recent estimates 1 provided by the Pennsylvania State Data Center. Somerset County’s median age was 35.3 years in 1990. Boswell Borough posted the lowest median age in the study area. This is unique. Many small Boroughs in southwestern Pennsylvania that have experienced significant population declines since I 1970 have a relatively large elderly population. As the population declines, many younger families move away in search of employment opportunities -- leaving behind a much less mobile elderly population. For example, Jennerstown Borough’s median age is 42.4 years, and Stoystown’s is 40.1 1 years. Boswell defies expectations of both a continuous population loss and an increasing elderly population. See Table A-3.
I Boswell has many more young people than would be expected of a Pennsylvanian borough. In 1990, 23.5% of Pennsylvanians were under the age of eighteen, and 19.7% were females aged 14 to 45 years. About 21.2% of Boswell’s citizens are females between the ages of 14 and 45. The majority 1 of the entities in the study area also exceed the Commonwealth in this regard. About 26.1% of Boswell’s citizens were under the age of 18. Jenner Township is the only municipality to exceed 1 Boswell in this regard. This speaks very well for Boswell’s future population stability. Additionally, 7.5% of Boswell’s citizens are under the age of 5, exceeding the Commonwealth’s I 6.7%. Somerset County and Jenner Township are lower than this regard, but very close to Pennsylvania’s percentage. See Table A-3.
I About 15.4% of Pennsylvanians are senior citizens: about 18.2% of Boswell’s residents are. About 1.4% of Pennsylvanians are over the age of 85: about 0.5% of Boswell’s residents are. About 6.3% of Pennsylvanians are over the age of 75: about 6.5% of Boswell’s residents are and 6.9% of 8 Somerset Countians are, Jenner Township is very close to the County here. With the exception of Boswell, the boroughs in the study area post significantly higher elderly figures than the Commonwealth, Somerset County, and the study area’s townships. The high numbers of frail elderly i in the surrounding municipalities is a concern because those over 75 typically need more services and are less able to pay for them than other age groups.
1 In 1980, elderly figures for all areas were much lower. Typically, the elderly population of both Pennsylvania and Somerset County grows at 2.0 to 3.0 percent per decade. The elderly population 1 of most boroughs grows from 4.0 to 6.0 percent per decade. In 1980, most boroughs were very close to Pennsylvania’s percentages, but now greatly exceed them. Jennerstown Borough posted the highest percentage growth in this regard. Boswell’s growth in this regard was 5.1 percent. Additionally, with 1 the exception of Boswell and Somerset, the entire study area showed decreases in the number of residents less than eighteen years of age. Boswell’s growth of .3 percent was equal to its total increase in population during the decade, and in great contrast to the entire study area, except 1 Somerset. 1 I
-. . 8 1-A, 4
1 Household Size and Structure
~1 There were 612 households in Boswell in 1990. This was a 7.9% increase of 45 households over the 1980 level of 567. See Table A-2. Obviously, the average household size decreased during this I period since the population increase was only 5 persons. Nationally, and certainly in Pennsylvania, I a trend persists towards smaller household sizes. This is often due to the fact that many younger couples each have a career and choose to not have as many kids as did married couples of past I generations. Interestingly, all entities in the study area increased in number of households except for Stoystown, Jennerstown, and Johnstown. All entities except Pennsylvania and Boswell lost population I in the 1980s. Persons per household for the study area follows typical state and national trends of decline from 1980 to 1990. All areas, including Boswell, decreased from a low of 3.1% in Somerset Borough to I a high of 8.5% in Pennsylvania. Boswell remains below the Commonwealth’s averages, with 2.69 persons per household in 1980 and 2.43 persons per household in 1990 -- some of the lowest in the study area. The Commonwealth dropped by 0.24 persons, from 2.81 to 2.57. The smallest persons I per household average in 1980 was Somerset Borough at 2.29. In 1990, Somerset Borough lost only 3.1%, but remained the lowest at 2.22 persons per household -- tied with Johnstown. Quemahoning Township remains well above the Commonwealth’s average, reporting over 2.84 persons per household. Consistently, the boroughs in the study area averaged much lower persons per household figures than the townships. Nevertheless, County averages are nearly identical to the Commonwealth’s.
Population Structure Next we will examine Table A-4, which shows additional details about martial status, living situations, and household structures. These items will be examined by sex. Boswell Borough posts very similar figures to the Commonwealth’s averages in the categories of males presently married and never married. In 1990, about 58% of Pennsylvanian men were married, and 3 1% were never married. At the same time, Boswell’s percentage of men that were married was 3.5% lower than Pennsylvania’s figure, and Boswell’s percentage of man that were never married was slightly higher. However, the study area, in general, was much more marriage-oriented than Boswell, and had a much lower percentage of men that were never married. For example, 65% of Somerset County’s men were married in 1990, and 25% were never married. All other political entities in the study area post numbers very close to Somerset County’s in this regard. The sole exception is Johnstown, which has a higher percentage of men never married and divorced than any other municipality.
Female percentages for Boswell vary more substantially from state and County figures. Again, Boswell has one of the highest percentages of females never married in the study area, and a low percentage of females now married. However, the largest variation in figures is in the percentage of females widowed and divorced. In 1990, about 18.1% of Boswell’s females, 15.7% of Somerset County’s females, and 14.2% of Pennsylvania’s females were widowed. About 12% of Boswell’s females were divorced, the largest percentage in the study area. About 6% of Somerset County’s women and 7.3% of Pennsylvania’s women were divorced in 1990.
Table A-5 examines the percentage of persons below 18 years of age and their living situations. In 1990, Boswell had a disappointing percentage of persons under the age of 18 that were living in married couple families -- only 60.6%. Meanwhile, 72.9% of Pennsylvanians under the age of 18, and 8 1% of Somerset Countians under this age, lived with married couples. The corresponding figure for
T. r I 1-A, 0 every other entity in the study area except Johnstown was over 85%. Johnstown’s figure was 2.5% less than Boswell’s figure. An alarming 27.6% of Boswell’s residents under the age of 18 were being I raised in female-headed households in 1990. Again, this is the highest percent in the study area except for Johnstown’s. A high percentage of children raised in female-headed households is a I concern. It usually corresponds with a high percent of children raised in poverty. Table A-6 examines persons per family and non-family, explaining household structure in more I detail. Boswell has two important statistics that explain its relatively low persons per household figure. Boswell has a high percentage of two person households, and a very significant percentage of non-family persons in 1 person households. Additionally, the Borough has a low number of five, 1 six, and seven person families compared to the Commonwealth, Somerset County, and Jenner Township.
I Overall, Boswell can be said to have a higher percentage of family-like households than Pennsylvania, but these households are generally smaller in size. The population and total number of households is increasing faster in Boswell than in Pennsylvania as a whole. Somerset County is also outgrowing I the state in these areas. Boswell contains a stable number of persons now married, but a low percentage compared to the other areas around it. Boswell should focus on the large percentage of its children in female-headed households, and the correspondingly low number of children raised in I married couple families. I Socioeconomic Characteristics I When basic demographic characteristics are combined with social and economic attributes such as educational attainment, income, poverty, ancestry, and rural characteristics, much of the character of a conimunity can be explained. Taken together, these characteristics of the population create a unique I planning context for each community.
These statistics are summarized in Table A- 1 and Tables A-5 through A-8. They are taken from the I 1990 Census of Population and Housing. Each section makes references to specific tables which are located at the end of this chapter. The U.S. Census does not have much detailed information for small boroughs such as Boswell. Therefore, all of the income and poverty statistics usually provided here 1 have been combined with the Economic Analysis in Section F.
Education is a primary measure of the quality and flexibility of a community’s labor force. In the 1 post manufacturing, service-oriented economy of today, it correlates highly with income. Generally, the population of Boswell is not characterized as having advanced educational levels. Whereas almost I 75% of all persons over the age of 25 in Pennsylvania have high school diplomas, only 64.6% of Boswell’s residents do. Regionally, Boswell fairs poorly, posting the lowest percentage of citizens with high school diplomas in the study area -- nearly 4% less than Somerset County and Jenner I Township. The disparities with the Commonwealth grows larger for college education. Almost 18.0 percent of the Commonwealth’s citizens over 25 years of age hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Only 6.9% of Boswell’s residents have such a degree. Again, Boswell fairs poorly within its region -- I posting the lowest percentage in this regard in the study area with the exception of Jenner Township. 1
T. PI I 1-A, I
I percentage points higher than Pennsylvania’s percentage. Boswell’ s numbers are also extraordinarily I high when compared to most other entities in the study area. The female population aged 16 to 64 years does not show any more than average percentages in the 1 dual category of mobility and self-care limitations. Rather, the high percentages exist in mobility and self-care limitations for the next two age brackets. Boswell’s female population aged 64 to 74 years shows the lowest amount of persons without a limitation of any kind. Likewise, the frail elderly I female population is extraordinarily disadvantaged, as only 40.7% of this population are without limitation. Pennsylvania’s percentage is almost 66%.
I In general, Boswell has an average number of elderly as a percent of its population. Overall, Boswell maintains the lowest median age of any municipality in the study area. However, a large percent of I the elderly population require special services for mobility and self-care limitations. Ancestry is a reflection of early settlement patterns in the modem community. Table A-9 shows details of ancestry for Boswell and its study area. Of the 1,461 declared ancestries in Boswell, 34.0% I or 497 were German. Pennsylvania’s percentage is lower at 29.3%, but Somerset County’s percentage is much higher at close to 50%. Boswell’s percentage German is lower than all of the other I entities in the study area. The largest German heritage is in Stoystown Borough at 63.5%. The next most popular ancestry in Boswell is Polish at 15.7%. Italian, English, and unclassified round out the I major ancestries. Residence in 2985 tends to measure the relative stability of the population. Boswell is stable but much less stable than the surrounding municipalities. About 63.4% of Pennsylvanians lived in the I same house in 1990 that they did in 1985. Boswell’s respective figure is 6l.l%, while Somerset County’s is at 72.8% and Jenner Township’s is at 71.7%. However, a very large percentage of Boswell residents lived in the same County in 1990. In short, some people have moved in or out of I Boswell, but most have not moved very far away.
Nativity and Place of Origin numbers in Table A-10 tend to confirm that Boswell and the entire I region have relatively few immigrants. Almost 90% of Boswell Borough’s population were born in Pennsylvania. This is about 10 points higher than the Commonwealth’s average, and nearly identical I to the figures of Somerset County and Jenner Township. In 1990, Boswell had only 7 foreign born residents. I I I I I
I.n I 1-n, Y I Findings
Boswell is a small community with a stable and relatively youthful population.
Compared to all areas in the study, it is the only municipality to stabilize its population since 1980.
The Borough maintains a high percentage of persons under eighteen years of age but is losing 40 to 65 five year olds at a disproportionate rate.
The Borough can be said to be modestly educated and lacking many young college graduates and professionals.
The borough is family oriented, with a high number of married couples.
The Borough has a very high rate of female-headed households and a comparably high percent of children in these households. NAME
LAND AREA \VATER AREA 121861 6 50 * 0 5u ' 0 00 u.07 0 61 0 00 0 00 024
Penons II88IM3 78218 * 4147 * 1485 b15 210l 381 6454 28134 Fanilirs 1155989 22u57 ' 1192 4.18 171 64 7 I23 1716 7509 Iloorcholdr 4495966 ' 2V574 ' 15.16 012 24.1 8II I56 2x61 12516 * hlvlr 5694265 47.9 1772~ 211lO 4v0 b9I .I5 0 ?'&I 45 7 I I19 4'1 5 IS? 41, H 2111 I 45 I I?bbO 450 Femule 6187378 52 I 404'10 5 I 8 1117 SI0 nu4 54 I J45 54 I I Ill2 50 5 207 512 I543 54 9 I5474 55.0
White 10520201 885 77875 996 4141 W'J 1.11) w 9 LSO 'W 2 22'92 996 381 1000 6129 98 I 25401 YOJ Ulurk 1089795 92 102 0 I 0 00 U uo u 00 I 00 0 00 48 07 2517 8.9 Anurlnd 14731 0 I 4s 0 I 2 00 0 00 0 00 2 01 0 00 7 01 19 0 1 Asian 117418 I2 I43 02 2 00 2 01 4 06 I 00 0 00 47 07 50 02 Other Race 119476 IO 55 0 I 2 00 0 00 I 02 5 02 0 00 23 04 127 OS llispanic 212262 20 231 01 I4 01 I 02 0 no > 04 0 00 48 07 I95 I4
InsT~M 18 Years of Age 2794810 21.5 19551 250 IO90 26.1 I88 26 I 121 I'J 1 579 25 2 80 20 6 I565 24 2 6077 21.6 Cmatrr than 65 Years el Age 1829106 I54 11252 169 678 161 270 I9 2 I67 26 1 297 129 86 22 I I I98 I86 6507 21 I Fciluln IS to 45 2344062 19.7 16151 2uo 857 207 314 ?I I I20 I89 SO8 22 I 75 19 1 1402 ?I7 4978 17.7 hlrdinn Agrl% alStale 340 1000 I51 IOS7 35.0 1028 SI5 98 5 42 4 I24 7 I1 8 994 401 1180 34 9 102 7 38.6 113.5
Per Capita lncoml% olState 114.068 110.422 74 I llO.671 75 9 18.201 581 S11.250 94 2 18.616 61.2 sio.mi2 76 9 113.122 9s I 18,500 604 White Per Cnpila lnronv 114.688 ' 110.404 708 EIO.J61 71 9 18.203 558 si1.311 90 b 18.63 I 588 110.812 71 6 111.095 89 2 18.815 60.0 Black Per Capita Inconic 19.140 ' 17.524 82 1 so 00 SO 0.0 SO 00 1200 22 so 00 16.478 70 9 ~5.54~ 60.7 Ilispuiic Per Capita litcome 17,489 ' 15.605 748 $4.12') 55 I so 00 so 00 14.857 M.9 $0 00 11.203 42 8 14.251 56 8 hlrdinn llourchold lnronv 129.069 ' 121.674 746 121.507 00 116.129 00 122.014 00 120.614 00 125,918 00 119.764 00 SI4.819 00 nledinn Family lnroiiu 114.856 ' $25,549 73 3 I23.729 68 I 119.792 56 8 Sl0.')09 R8 7 121.5I2 67.5 128.125 80 7 126.585 76 3 120.277 582 Total Povrrty 1281629 11.1 11026 I41 56J 116 427 29.3 411 80 396 I7 2 46 II 9 I I41 179 7501 269
Childmn in hlnrritd Cpl Fninilicr 2016611 15974 ' 895 215 I01 502 71 1013 3496 ' , .... Childmn in Fen1 IleaJ Iloarrhold. 425818 9 1979 ' 101 I07 8 16 I 400 1841 * nlnles over 65 Living Alouc 113351 ' 818 ' SI) ' 16 X 18 2 79 504 Fenmles owr 65 Living Alonc 412411 3026 IS7 76 S6 54 22 433 2016 Total one-pcnon Iloasrholds I150bY.I 6871 ' 315 * 167 69 I41 32 1032 4717 '
Person in: Corrcctional Iiirtitutior 42930 04 60 0 I 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 60 09 I1 01 Nurring lloim 106454 09 721 09 0 00 0 00 49 77 0 00 0 00 I 00 I50 05 Collegc Dorntaloiics 132187 I I I uo o 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 60 0 00 0 00
Education: lligh School Plus 5m7865.1 74 7 36021 689 1917 688 00 I 646 s91 77 5 991 660 217 79 5 343 I 792 12662 64 2 College Plus 1412746 179 4640 89 I80 65 M 69 70 I38 I I6 7.7 41 I5 0 762 176 1428 72 Totnl Persons Age 25 or Giuutrr 7872932 66 3 52252 008 2787 672 910 626 507 79.8 IS06 654 273 702 4134 672 19729 70 I =Dam Not Applicable Sourre: 1990 US Census ol Populatioit and llousing Table A-2 1)emographic Cli;iiige 1980-1990
NAhlE Pennsylvania Sonierset Cnly Jenner ‘1n.p. Iloswell Uor. Jennerslo\vii Uor. Queinahoning Twp Stoystown Bor. Somerset Uor. Johnstown City Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Numhsr Prrient Number Percent Number Pcrcent Number Percent Number Percent
~~ Pop70 11766310 * 75238 * 4251 * 1529 * 62 I * 2079 * 446 * 6269 * 42476 * Pop80 11864720 * 81243 * 4383 * 14x0 * 656 2334 * 432 * 6474 * 35496 * Pop90 11881643 * 78218 * 4147 * 1485 * 635 + 2301 * 389 * 6454 * 28134 * Dens90 263.9 * 72 I * 62 5 * 21214 * I058 3 * 62.4 * 1945 0 * 3073.3 * 4935.8 * Pop. Change 80-90 16923 0.1 -3025 (3 7) -236 (54) 5 03 -2 I (3.2) -33 (1.4) -4 3 ( 10.0) -20 (0.3) -7362 (20.7)
I990 Feiiiale 6190336 52.1 40517 51.8 2115 51.0 803 54 I 345 54.3 I162 50.5 207 53.2 3543 54.9 15414 55.0 1980 Female 6175623 52.1 41750 51.4 2231 50.9 798 539 338 51.6 1148 49.2 229 53.0 3574 55.2 19310 54.4
1990 cl8 2792186 23.5 I9555 250 1091 26.3 388 26 I 121 19.1 5 80 25.2 80 20.6 1562 24.2 ’ 6017 2 I .6 1980<18 31 16700 26.3 22726 28.0 1262 28.8 382 25X 154 23 4 728 31.2 I06 24.5 1502 23.2 8484 23.9
I990 >65 1829773 15.4 13219 169 676 163 270 18 2 I67 26 3 297 12 9 86 22. I 1200 18.6 6499 23. I I980 >65 1525079.05 12.9 10763 132 500 I1 4 194 13 I I I3 I7 3 236 10.1 77 17.8 I042 16.1 6125 18. I
1990 Ulack IO89795 9.2 102 0 I 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.0 I 0.0 0 0.0 48 0.7 2517 8.9 1980 Black 1046810 8.8 57 0 1 I 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 I 0.0 0 0.0 21 0.3 2705 7.6
1990 llispanic 232262 1.0 231 03 I4 03 3 02 0 0 0 9 0.4 0 0.0 48 0.7 395 1.1 1980 llispanic 153961 1.3 234 03 19 04 2 01 0 0.0 12 0.5 0 0.0 IO 02 356 I .3
1990 llouseliolds 4495966 6.5 29574 3.6 I536 29 612 79 243 (4.3) 81 I 6.7 I56 (4.9) 2861 27 12536 (11.8) 1980 llouseholds 4219606 * 28549 * I493 * 567 254 1 760 * I61 * 27x7 * 14211 *
1990 Persons Per Ill1 2.57 (8.6) 26 (86) 269 (X2) 243 (69) 2 41 (6.6) 2.84 (7.5) 2 49 (5.3) 2.22 (3.1) 2.22 (10.5) 1980 Persons Per 1111 2.81 * 285 * 2 93 * 261 * 2 58 * 3.07 * 2 63 * 2.29 * 2.48 *
3155989 0.7 22057 (1.3) 1192 (4.2) 438 3 I 171 (11.9) 617 I .3 I23 3.4 1736 0.2 7509 (21.6) 3134322 * 22345 * 124-1 * 425 * I94 * 639 * I.. I9 * 1733 * 9577 *
Source: I990 LIS Ccnsus of Population and llousing NAhlE I’cniisylvriiia Soiiirrset Ciity .Iciiiirr Ywp. Iioswell lioi-. Jciiiierslowii Bor. Qtieiiialioiiiiig Tvvp Stoystown Ror. Somerset Ror, Joliiisto~viiCity Number Percent Number Percent Number Perceiil Nunibcr Percenl Nunibrr Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number I’ercent Less tlian 5 YRS 797058 6.7 5017 6.4 255 6.1 Ill 7.5 23 3.6 I60 7.0 24 6.2 469 7.3 1714 6.1 5 -ro 9 788301 6.6 5437 7.0 311 7.5 I IO 7.4 33 5.2 159 6.9 23 5.9 424 6.6 I604 5.7 IO’IO 14 755161 6.4 5691 7.3 334 8.1 101 6.8 39 6. I I58 6.9 18 4.6 424 6.6 1725 6. I 15 TO 19 818058 6.9 5452 7.0 289 7.0 I03 6.9 35 5.5 I 58 6.9 24 6.2 423 6.6 I784 6.3 20 TO 24 863007 7.3 4452 5.7 216 5.2 IO4 7.0 24 3.8 160 7.0 18 4.6 380 5.9 1712 6.1 25 TO 29 9202 17 7.7 5287 6.8 255 6.1 Ill 7.5 26 4. I 191 8.3 27 6.9 516 8.0 1806 6.4 30 To 34 992239 8.4 6247 8.0 350 8.4 I14 7.7 47 7.4 171 7.4 26 6.7 505 7.8 2029 7.2
35 TO 39 9230 I n 7.8 5997 7.7 334 8.1 IO0 6.7 55 8.7 I 85 8.0 30 7.7 473 7.3 1841 6.5 ’ 40 TO 44 82 I 849 6.9 5309 6.8 288 6.9 66 4.4 52 8.2 I66 7.2 20 5.1 445 6.9 1616 5.7 45 TO 49 656083 5.5 4157 5.3 222 5.4 76 5. I 37 58 151 6.6 18 4.6 306 4.7 1339 4.8 U 29 I 50 .ro 54 557762 4.1 3807 4.9 213 5.1 62 4.2 46 I I3 4.9 23 5.9 275 4.3 I262 4.5 D “ 55 TO 59 552378 4.6 3813 4.9 16X 4.1 72 4.8 38 6.0 121 5.3 22 5.1 276 4.3 1391 4.9 607406 5.1 4300 5.5 234 5.6 85 5.7 30 4.7 c-l 60 TO 64 Ill 4.8 30 7.7 340 5.3 I no4 6.4 w 65 To 69 590557 5.0 4356 5.6 247 6.0 90 6. I 39 6. I I09 4.7 22 5.7 335 5.2 I969 7.0 70 pro 74 479464 4.0 3496 4.5 I90 4.6 83 5.6 38 6.0 74 3.2 21 5.4 334 5.2 1771 6.3 75 TO 79 361306 3.0 2642 3.4 I20 2.9 58 3.9 29 4.6 59 2.6 20 5.1 254 3.9 I409 5.0 80 Io 84 225943 I .9 I590 2.0 70 1.7 31 7. I 30 4.7 29 I .3 14 3.6 164 2.5 828 2.9 85 and over 171836 I .J I I68 I .5 51 1.2 x 0.5 31 4.0 26 1.1 9 2.3 Ill 1.7 530 I .9 Toral Popil~ilioti I I ,X8 1,643 IO0 7n,2 I 8 100 4147 100 14x5 IO0 635 IO0 230 I 100 389 100 6454 100 2.8134 I00 * ~ 33.8 40.1 34.9 hlediriii Age 34.0 * 35.3 * 35.0 * 33.5 * 42.4 * * * ” 38.6 * * = Dah Not Applic e Soiirre: 1990 US Cciisus of I’opulatioii riid llousiiig a
1116l114 Yl6 73YI 41 1'1 I 222 IY IY 1 UI4 16 8 31W ll.Y
2WlWl 580 1Y173 IS1 b4 ,I 511 1111 748 1142 SY6 5?YI 528 YYSW 2.2 4IY 1 29 15 I 11 1 49 22 251 25 I47tW6 3.3 Y(rl 18 J 4 22 4 27 76 I4 XI5 5 I1 2MI2Y 5 9 I516 I4 58 (A I 3 211 I82 8 I 716 1.1 44VJJ2- lWU 2VXJ 243 IOUU 8'AI 147 IUUU 2251 rmu lllol5 IWU
123291Y 24 4 J834 17Y 289 112 52 17.5 IYY 23 130 YI1 IOY 3264 15u 1592865 51.4 lYl45 58 8 Ill28 131 2 156 52.5 573 II? 611 1327 4611 5311 4117 1147711 1.7 5118 I6 21 1.3 3 I 11 I2 1 I7 Y6 33 4711 36 116541 14.2 5116 1J.7 248 148 77 259 11x1 31 175 54Y lYll 285Y 11 Y 36194 1.3 1947 611 Y1 55 9 3 11 YI 1 45 3llY Ill 1 II(6 89 5046-96 1000 JUS0 IUUO 16lY IUOU 297 1lNJ11 Y14 177 IUUO 2884 IWO IYll6 IWO
1155YBY 26 6 220Jl 282 114 287 171 21.9 (41 121 316 1736 16Y 7Vl9 261 2W2072 21 1 18656 21.9 IUI1 24 2 IUI 211, 56 1 1119 2x11 13lXI 211, I 5101 I81 349126ll 194 24013 111 7 1328 32 II 171 2SY 771 116 212 17711 114 186Y 2811 H I37194 I2 88 I 1.1 58 1.4 6 IIY 12 I, 1.5 71 1.2 311 1.1 I 187232 1.6 nu 111 SIB 1.4 I 411 26 i 11 x 41 116 4211 1.5 D 3111259 2.6 I462 IS 8') 2.1 IO It1 42 7 I8 Ill2 16 819 30 Y I53u17 1.3 771 IO I2 118 I 11 2 111 I 11 1 13 1.1 116 1.1 w IIwG94 9.7 6871 88 11s 11, 69 Ill 'I 141 12 82 11112 IbO 4117 161 P I89281 I6 646 118 IY I17 1 I1 5 21 I ,I 1 91 I 4 3111 I1
255S89 22 8411 I I 36 I19 4 I1 It 24 I I1 1 116 1.8 181 I 4 174211l 1.5 1112 1.4 YO2 4,) 1.1 I1 1) OII 81 1.3 221 118 174214 I5 17 I1 I 11 I1 I1 I1 411, I1 I, ,I I1 31 815 I35 05
42'W!S 36 1323 3% IIY 2:) 211 1 I 111 5 I1 287 4 I I4Y7 53 720169 6 I 4548 J8 I'x. 4.7 49 1.7 80 2J 6Y 14s 11,s 12211 11.4
11881641 ' 78218 * 4147 * bJS * 11111 JLI'I * 64S4 . inii4 ... .
II311Xli Wddl <,4 * Zb8 43 * .(,,I 21111l *
11711LY YVVh 86. 295 Id, * 117 * JIW1 6 u,4111 * 3 tu, 5' 9 ,. 41 * I51 KIISIK, 463 2' 11 1. 2Y * 278 * 289171 I3 76 5. 27 4. 2(dl * 1151 211631 1176 Y. I1 18 IIX, * 124 * I12254 4118 I1 - I1 1. 57 ' 151 * 111l21 238 3. Ill u* 31, * ISY
91846l6 6lUlI 5IlY 2U81 3s4 f V126 * 22,151 3.10 3 118 2 'I8 * I22 218 !Ul 2.Y4 * 21 . NA AI 1:
Persons 1.esr thiYi8: llouseholder or Spouse 2780 0. I 20 0. I 2 0.2 I 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 6 0.4 I2 0.2 Child in Married Cpl Family 20366 I3 72.9 15974 81.7 895 82.1 235 60.6 I03 85. I 502 86.7 71 88.8 1013 61.7 3496 57.5 Child in Male Ilcaded llousehold 8664 I 3. I 52 I 2.7 28 2.6 23 5.9 9 7.4 15 2.6 3 3.8 66 4.2 215 3.5 Child in Female lleaded I-lousehold 425838 15.2 197'1 IIJ.1 101 9.3 107 27.6 8 6.6 36 6.2 3 3.8 400 25.6 1841 30.3 Child with Other Relatives I85930 6.7 768 3.9 48 4.4 I9 4.9 1 0.8 21 3.6 3 3.8 43 2.7 417 6.9 Child with Non-relatives 44649 I .6 264 I .4 8 0.7 3 0.8 0 0.0 5 0.9 0 0.0 20 1.3 77 1.3 In an Institution 6727 0.2 25 0. I 8 0.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 17 1.1 3 0.0 In Other Group Quarters 5632 0.2 2 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 16 0.3 19.U3 Ib/cil Per.vonv 1.e.w /hair IX 2 -')-Ix10 I090 3,vx 121 j-Y * 80 * 1.565 * 60-7 1 Person Over 65: Family Householder 627978 34.3 4714 35.6 271 40.0 ion 40.0 43 25.7 I I9 40.1 32 37.2 368 30.7 2064 31.7 Family Spouse 393 140 21.5 2964 22.4 166 24.5 59 21.9 23 13.8 71 23.9 25 29.1 237 19.8 1204 18.5 Living in Family HI-I wlOlher Relatives 127733 7.0 752 5.7 58 8.6 I I 4.1 IO 6.0 23 7.7 5 5.8 54 4.5 423 6.5 Living in Family I IH wv/Non-relatives 8424 0.5 65 05 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 8 2.7 0 0.0 4 0.3 18 0.3 Male Living Alone I13351 6.2 XI8 6.2 39 5.8 16 5.9 n 4.8 18 6. I 2 2.3 79 6.6 504 7.7 Male Householder. not alone 8330 0.5 52 0.4 2 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 I 0.3 0 0.0 5 0.4 19 0.3 Female Living Alone 412913 22.6 3026 22.8 137 20.2 76 28.1 36 21.6 54 18.2 22 25.6 433 36 I 2036 31.3 Female Householder, not alone 10333 0.6 44 0.3 2 0.3 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.3 0 0.0 7 0.6 28 0.4 Living in Nun-Family llousehold I5958 0.9 83 0.6 3 0.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 0.7 0 0.0 10 0.8 48 0.7 In Institution Group Quaners 102454 5.6 720 5.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 47 28. I 0 0.0 0 0.0 I 0.1 147 2.3 In Other Group Quarters 8492 0.5 I4 0.I 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 16 0.2 * 13252 fimid I'rrwm (irerirer hiii 6j IX2Yl06 6-8 * 2-0 16- 79)- X6 llYX * 650' * = Data Not Applicable Source: 1990 US Census of Population and llousing T;~bleA-6 Persons Per Faoiily and Non-Family
NAME I'ennsylvaiiia Somerset Cnty .Icnner Twp. Ilurnell Nor. Jennerstown Bur. Quemahoning Twp Stoystown Bor. Somerset Bor. Johnstown City Number Pcrrcni Nwnbr Pcrccnl Nuiiiber Pcrccnl Numbr Perccul Number Pcrccttl Number Percent Number Pereenl Number Pcrcem Numbcr Pcrccn~ 2 persons Fnniilyl% Tot Fam 1292637 41 0 9188 41.7 477 40.0 199 45.4 74 43.3 226 34.9 58 47.2 827 47.6 3524 46.9 3 persons Family 764654 24.2 5367 24.3 288 24.2 107 24.4 50 29.2 167 25.8 30 24.4 41 I 23.7 1865 24.8 4 persons Funiily 666161 21.1 4650 21.1 263 22.1 90 20.5 25 14.6 154 23.8 27 22.0 326 18.8 1306 17.1 5 persons Funiily 287112 9.1 1975 9.0 11') 100 32 7.3 20 11.7 75 11.6 7 5.7 137 7.9 518 6.9 6 persons Family 93960 3 0 614 2.8 33 2.8 8 1.8 2 1.2 13 2.0 I 0 8 26 1.5 209 2.8 7 or more persons Fnmily 51465 1.6 263 1.2 I2 1.0 2 0.5 0 0.0 I2 1.9 0 0.0 9 0.5 87 1.2 lbrd Faniilirs j/jj%VO 1l111.0 ?.?llj- llJl).ll 1192 11111.11 438 1111I.lJ 171 /1)1l.f) 647 100.11 123 1110.11 1736 100.0 7509 11111.f)
I person Non-Family 115060.I 85.9 6871 91.4 315 91.6 167 96.0 69 95.8 143 87.2 32 97.0 1032 91.7 4717 93.8 2 persons Non-Family I4S550 11.1 526 7.0 25 7.3 6 3.4 2 2.8 18 11.0 I 3.0 80 7.1 261 5.2 3 persons Non-Fnniily 24680 1.8 7.1 1.0 I 0.3 0 0.0 I 1.4 3 1.8 0 0.0 7 0.6 34 d.7 4 persons Non-Fnniily 10184 08 31 0.4 3 0.9 I 0.6 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 3 '0.3. IO 02 5 persons Non-Fnmily 3516 0.3 8 0 I 0 0.0 n 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 0.2 3 0.1 6 persons Non-Fnmily 1372 0 I 5 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 00 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.1 0 0.0 I or more persons Nun-Family 912 0.1 3 0.0 0 00 0 0 0 n 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 2 0.0 Toto/ Non-l~uniilv l~wl-- 11I1llI -->I- 11JOII 344 11111.11 1-4 11111.11 -2 1111l.11 164 11~fll1 33 1OlJ.O l12.i 1111l.f~ j112- 1110.(1 Source: I990 IIS Census of Pupulntion and llousing NAhlE
hlnle: 16 lo 64 hlobility liniitalion only 37327 1.0 409 in 63 5. I n 21 0 00 in 24 0 00 I1 18 90 12 Self-care limitation only 79301 2.2 369 I6 I2 10 4 I.o I? 63 9 I2 0 00 22 I1 I84 25 hlobility and self-care limitation isono 1.0 23 I 10 15 I2 5 13 0 00 3 04 0 on 21 1.2 I07 I4 No mobility or seli-care limitation 1473345 95.8 12171 95 6 I149 92.7 373 95 6 I79 93.7 71 I 96.0 121 100 0 1624 95.6 7029 94 9 1UIUl 3625U53 101l.O 2J IS0 1lJiI.U 1239 1011. u 3YU 100.0 191 100.0 -f I 1001.11 121 I UII I1 1698 l(lU.0 -4lU 11IlJ.(1 65 to 14 years: hlobility limitation only 16013 35 137 4.0 9 40 3 4.4 0 00 0 00 2 I4 3 II 4 I 22 IS Self-care limitaiion only 21658 47 204 5 9 47 21.1 7 10 3 0 00 0 00 0 00 12 II 9 101 70 hlobility and reli-care limitation 16810 17 I23 36 9 40 5 74 0 0.0 7 25 n 00 5 1.9 I09 7.5 No mobility or self-care limiialioti -102087 nn I 2966 86 5 Isn 70 9 51 77 9 16 100 0 78 97.5 I2 85 7 221 82.2 1217 84.0 7orul 4j6jS'X 1U1l.U Jf3U 11l11.0 223 11111.11 621 1l11l.11 36 11111.0 80 111i1.11 I4 1110 0 269 1110.0 lf4Y 1ll0.0 15 Years and Over: hlobility limitation only 1996.4 85 I74 98 0 00 6 I5 4 0 00 4 80 2 I54 8 5.3 107 I?6 Self-care limilaiion only 14003 59 I04 59 0 00 2 51 0 0.0 5 100 0 00 in 11.8 72 85 H hlobility and self-care limitation 22559 96 214 I?0 29 41 4 8 zn 5 8 40.0 14 28 0 0 00 9 59 59 70 I D No mobility or self-care limitation 179417 760 1285 72 3 41 58 6 23 50 0 I2 60 0 27 54 0 II 85 6 117 770 609 71 9 /--: 7bml 235943 It101.1l lU0 0 -11 1llO 0 JY I 011. I1 211 100.(I 50 IU0.U I3 IOU I1 152 IU(1.U X4- I(1U.U c-' v Feamle: 16 tu 64 hlobility limitation only 52034 1.4 351 1.5 13 I.o I4 30 0 0.0 14 I .9 0 00 23 I I I67 I .9 Self-care limitation only 82482 2.1 155 15 15 I2 10 ?I 7 16 II 1.5 I 09 16 I7 I97 22 h.lobilily and self-care limitation 19279 IO 256 1.1 22 I.7 4 0.9 0 00 I4 19 I 09 16 1.7 25 I 27 No mobilily or self-care limilation 3675559 95.5 23003 96 n 1237 90 I 438 '14 0 ins 96 4 70') 94.8 I I4 98 1 1974 95.4 8194 91.1 Ibl'll ~.s~YJJ-/ 101J 11 2JYfd 1011.0 13s- 1Oll.I1 466 101J.O I92 1Oll. 11 -4- 11111.0 101l.11 ISI11 Ioull fi,IUl _. ... z 3-- source:1990 US Census or Pupahtius a lousing Table A-8 Educational A ttainnien t
NAME 11 Pennsylvania Sonierset Cnly Jenncr Twp. Uos~vellUor. Jennerjtown I3or. Queniahoning Twp Stoyslown Bor. Somerset Bor. Johnstown Cily 11 Number Percent Numkr Percent Number Percenl Number Peicenl Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent < 91h Grade II 741 I67 9.4 7731 14.8 442 I59 150 16.1 47 93 264 17.5 13 4.8 297 6.9 2868 14.5 9-12 No Dipl. 1253111 15.9 8500 16.3 428 15.4 179 19.2 67 13.2 248 16.5 43 15.8 606 14.0 4199 21.3 lligh School Grad. 3035080 38.6 24840 47.5 1510 54.2 458 49.2 240 47.3 734 48.7 142 52.0 1946 44.9 8750 44.4 Some College 1017897 129 4651 8.9 164 5.9 52 5.6 56 11.0 121 8.0 27 9.9 544 12.6 1661 8.4 Associates Degree 412931 5.2 1884 3.6 63 2.3 27 2.9 27 53 23 1.5 7 2.6 179 4.1 823 4.2 Bachelor Degree 890660 11.3 2945 5.6 95 3.4 52 5.6 45 8.9 81 5.4 29 10.6 491 . 11.3 904 4.6 Graduate Degree 522086 6.6 1695 3.2 85 3.0 I2 I .3 25 4.9 35 2.3 I2 4.4 271 6.3 524 2.7 Tornl 7872932 100.0 52252 100.0 2797 1on.0 930 100.0 507 100.0 1506 100.0 273 100.0 4331 100.0 19729 100.0 Source: 1990 US Census of Population and llousing I
NAhlE
Arab (400-4I 5.4 17-4 IS, 42 I-430. 435-48 I, 490-499) 30798 01 84 01 0 00 0 0.0 183 07 Austrian (003-004) 43549 04 214 03 I 01 7 II II 05 0 00 I8 03 84 03 Belgian (008-010) 6913 01 39 00 2 01 2 03 2 01 0 00 7 01 16 01 Canadian 1931-934) 6056 01 2 on 0 00 0 0 (1 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 Czech (I11-1 14) 28356 02 235 ai o no 3 05 16 07 0 00 7 01 83 03 Danish (020,023) 11941 01 I9 00 o nu 0 00 7 01 0 00 0 00 0 00 Dutch (02 I, 029) I72084 I4 I 955 25 5s 3 8 2 03 81 37 9 23 I42 22 280 IO English (015.021) 749786 6.3 3554 4.5 94 6.4 62 9.4 87 3.8 19 4.9 339 5.3 1119 4.0 Finnish (024-02s) 5471 00 19 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 II 02 21 01 French (except Basque) (000-001,016.026-028,083) 136174 I1 176 10 13 09 10 IS 17 07 4 IO 101 16 232 08 French Canadian (935-938) 22293 02 72 01 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 17 03 16 01 Cermun (032-045) 3485436 29.3 38659 49.4 497 34.0 348 52.8 I100 47.8 245 63.5 3416 52.9 8343 29.7 Greek (046-048) 44265 04 IOG 01 0 O(I 0 00 5 02 0 00 0 00 7s 03 Hungarian (125-126) 92006 ox 979 13 8 os 8 I? 29 13 II 28 24 01 422 IS Irish (050. 081,099) 1270330 10.7 3728 4.8 65 4.4 52 7.9 Ion 4.7 7 I.8 251 3.9 2185 7.8 Ilalisn (030-031, 051-074) 1047893 8.8 3502 4.5 100 6.8 27 4. I n9 3.9 8 2.1 I U 332 5. 2277 8.1 I Lithuanian (129) 6689’) n o h0 0 I 0 on 0 00 0 00 0 no 5 01 53 02 D 7 ” Norwegian (082) 18777 02 XI 01 2 01 03 01 0 00 35 05 IS 01 Polish (142-143) 632518 5.3 3840 4.9 230 15.7 37 5.6 143 6.2 9 2.3 I63 2.5 1656 5.9 c-’ Portuguew (0x4-086) 9209 01 I 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 Romanian (144-141) I0417 01 28 00 7 os 0 00 7 03 0 00 0 00 II 00 Russian (148-1 SI) IS6394 I3 496 06 13 09 3 05 23 10 0 00 23 04 I39 os Scotch-Irish (087) 195220 16 862 II 27 18 2 03 8 03 4 10 IO4 16 299 I1 Scotlish (088) 1m13 II 616 09 II ox II 17 I4 06 17 44 71 II 231 08 Slovak (IS)) 29S843 25 3046 39 5s 38 IO IS 69 30 0 00 157 24 2956 10 5 Subsaharan African (500-599) 13088 01 7 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 30 01 Swedish (089-090) 73648 06 202 03 6 04 4 Ob 0 0 0 0 00 26 01 12 01 Swiss (09-096) 406IO 03 422 os 0 00 0 00 I4 06 I 03 38 06 23 01 Ukrainian ( I7 I- 174) 89780 on 47x Ob 7 0s 0 00 I5 07 I 03 0 00 21 I 10 United States or American 1939.991) 309814 26 1208 41 43 29 9 I4 72 31 19 49 I98 31 734 26 Welsh (097) 109613 0 9 675 09 I2 08 9 14 ?I 09 S 13 87 I3 284 IO West Indian (excluding Ifispanic orisin groups) (300-359) 17550 01 4 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 00 ?I 01 Yugoslavian (152, 154. 176-177) 32181 03 171 02 0 00 0 00 4 02 2 os 0 00 52 I 19 Race or Hispanic origin groups (200-299.900-928) 1161853 9.8 866 1.1 16 1.1 11 1.7 20 0.9 0 0.0 I41 2.2 2752 9.8 Other groups(W2,005-007,011-014.011-019,049,075-08 45WIO 38 2b8X 31 58 40 20 30 I26 55 8 ?I 217 34 Ill2 40 Uiiclussilied or iiul reported (1163-899.995-997.999) 911105 7.7 6460 8.3 139 9.5 20 3.0 213 9.3 17 4.4 524 81 1636 5.8 70lU/ 6jY 100.0 Source: 1990 US Census of Pupiilulion and Iluusing 'I'iIble A-10 Place of Birth ilntl 1985 Place of Residence
NAhlE I'cnnsylvania Sunicrset Ciity .lriincr 'l'wli. Iluserll Uor. Jeiinrrstuwi Uor. Queniahuiiiiig 'l'wp Stuystuwn Uur. Somerset Uur. Johnstown City Number Rrccni Nuwber Rrccni Nuiiikr Pciccnl Number Rrccni Number Pcrcc~ii Number Perccni Number Pcrccnl Nuntber Pcrcetll Ntmtber Pc~cni Dom in Peiinsilvania 9527402 80.2 69044 89.4 3782 91.2 1309 89.6 590 89.5 2142 93.1 355 92.0 5571 86.4 25611 91.0 Born in oilier NE State 742755 6.3 1026 1.3 28 0.7 21 1.4 IS 2.3 37 1.6 3 0.8 138 2.1 494 1.8 Born iii Midwest 348917 2.9 1714 2.2 156 3.8 41 2.8 19 2.9 .IS 2.0 8 2.1 214 3.3 360 1.3 Ilorn in Soiilli 666122 5.6 4387 5.6 102 2.5 80 5.5 31 4.7 64 2.8 16 4.1 369 5.7 1005 3.6 Born in West I04730 0.9 445 0.6 51 I .2 3 0.2 4 0.6 7 0.3 4 1.0 65 1.0 183 0.7 Born in Puerlo Rico 67413 0.6 33 0.0 IO 0.2 n 0.0 n 0.0 0 0.0 o 0.0 16 0.2 II 0.0
Born in U.S. Province 4463 00 28 0.0 0 0.0 o 0.0 0 0.0 o 0.0 0 0.0 0 ' 0.0 0 0.0 Born Abroad of US Parents 50525 0.4 170 0.2 18 0.4 n 0.0 0 0.0 o 0.0 0 0.0 26 0.4 xn 0.3 Foreign Doni 369316 3.1 471 0.6 o 0.0 7 0.5 0 0.0 6 0.3 0 0.0 52 0.8 390 1.4 IIXXl64J 100.0 wlx 1nn.n 414- 100.0 1461 io0.n 659 1on.n 2301 1on.o 3x6 1on.o 6454 1on.n 2x134 100.0 PLACE OF RESIDENCE IN 1985: Same House 7026054 63.4 53307 72.8 2790 71.7 830 61.1 404 64.3 1658 77.4 275 76.4 3191 53.3 17523 66.4 Same Comity. diff I louse 245ljlO 22.1 I4017 19.1 861 22.1 443 32.6 158 25.2 375 17.5 69 19.2 1887 31.5 6952 26.3 U Sanie State 815011 7.4 3304 4.5 IO5 2.7 33 2.4 34 5.4 71 3.3 14 3.9 410 6.9 1064 4.0 I D Other NE Slate 284847 2.6 419 0.6 n 0.0 I2 0.') 8 1.3 4 0.2 o 0.0 97 I .6 111 0.5 Y Midwest Slate 103682 0.9 478 0.7 I6 0.4 21 1.5 18 2.9 n 0.0 o 0.0 77 I .3 122 0.5 N Slate 233010 2.1 1219 1.7 102 2.6 17 1.3 2 0.3 32 1.5 n 0.0 I60 2.7 528 2.0 0 Southern Western Slate 72481 0.1 287 0.4 18 0.5 a 0.1 4 0.6 I 0.0 2 0.6 I14 I .9 46 0.2 Puerio Rico 13960 0.1 I I 0.0 o 0.0 n 0.0 0 0.0 o 0.0 0 0.0 II 0.2 0 0.0 U.S. Province 2118 0.0 24 0.0 n 0.0 o 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 o 0.0 Foreign Country 82497 0.7 13s 0.2 0 0.0 n 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 38 0.6 23 0.1 fiwl >jYrm if.4ge Suurce: 1991) IS Censu, uf I'upulalion aiid lluu I I I I I I I 1 Section B:
I Historic and Cultural Resources I I I I 1 I I I I HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES Established in 1901, Boswell developed as a coal mining town and as a center of commerce. The 1 current character of Boswell is a direct result of that historical development, and the borough retains a rich collection of resources that reflect that course of events. The borough has an established National Register Historic District that recognizes the significance of the borough, and an active 1 historical society also exists. These elements form a strong foundation for historic preservation, tourism, and related activities in the borough. Provided below is an account of the historical development of the borough, followed by a brief review of the borough’s established historic I resources.
I A Brief History of Boswell Borough I In the eighteenth century, the area today known as Somerset County was occupied by the temporary settlements of trappers, hunters, and traders. American Indians and soldiers also traveled through this area well before permanent white settlement of the region. An early step toward county settlement I occurred in 1755 when General Braddock and George Washington passed through the southwestern part of present-day Somerset County en route to Fort Duquesne. This expedition opened the Braddock Road (present-day Route 40) through the area. The presence of this road would later I encourage settlement. Early permanent settlements in the county included those of Brotherton, which was first settled in 1760; Turkeyfoot, which was settled in 1768; and Berlin, which was settled in I 1771. The area of Somerset County witnessed a considerable degree of conflict in the eighteenth century. In November, 1758 General John Forbes led an army in a successfbl expedition through the area, over I the Allegheny Mountains, to secure Fort Duquesne. In November, 1768 the Treaty of Fort Stanwix finally settled claims to the region, and more settlers arrived. With increased settlement, Somerset County was officially created from Bedford County on April 17, 1795. At that time it contained the I townships of Brothers valley, Turkeyfoot, Quemahoning, Milford, Elk Lick, and Stonycreek. 1 Jenner Township, which encompasses current day Boswell, was organized from a part of Quemahoning Township in 1811. It was named for a doctor described as “the discoverer of vaccination” and had 150 taxable residents in the year of its formation. Early settlers of the township I included Jacob Hoffman, James and Alexander McMullen, James Wells, Isaac Miller, George Lohr, Samuel Spiker, Robert Smiley, Moses Fream, and the Reed, Boyd, Covers, Duncan, Hanline, Ankeny, I This history is based on information found in the following documents: Blackburn, E. Howard and William H. Welfley. History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania. New York: Lewis Publishing Company, 1906. DiCiccio, Carmen. Bowel1 Historic District National Register of Historic Places Registration I Form. 1994. History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania. Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & CO.,1884. Shultz, Tracy. 1995 Somerset County Heritage Development and Promotion Strategv. Somerset, 1995. Sanbom Map Company. Boswell, Pennsylvania. New York: Sanbom Map Company, 1910, 1916, 1930. 1 Somerset Daily American, Bicentennial Edition, April 17, 1995. Summers, Patricia, Kenneth Rose, and Gray Fitzsimons (eds.) Somerset County, Pennsylvania: An Inventory of Historic Engineering and Industrial Sites. I Washington, DC: National Park Service, 1994. I and Hare families. Most of these settlers came from Brothers Valley and other portions of Somerset I County. These early settlers first pursued lumbering as an occupation. Land was cleared for agricultural I pursuits, and lumber was used for construction. With cleared land, agriculture soon became the primary occupation throughout the county. By 18 11 three gristmills were operating in the township, and a number of other occupations came to be represented by the early nineteenth century. They I included blacksmiths, a shoemaker, tavern keepers, a postmaster, a weaver, a joiner, a wheelwright, a tailor, a gunsmith, distillers, and a wagon maker. In 18 13 Moses Fream constructed a sawmill, and by the 1830s Samuel Elder was operating the first store in Jenner Township. See Vicinity of Boswell 1 in 1930, Map # 1.
Early surveys revealed workable beds of coal and deposits of limestone, iron ore, and clay in the I region. Coal mining was pursued at a very early date; however, this coal was only used locally for domestic purposes. Poor transportation and lack of capital restricted coal mining to this level of activity prior to the 1870s. As the end of the nineteenth century approached, interest began to shift I from agriculture to coal.
Boswell was one of many coal towns that originated as a result of the expansion of the bituminous I coal industry in Pennsylvania in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The rise of the coal industry was based on the great demand for coal prompted by the iron, steel, and railroad industries, I which boomed after the 1870s. See Vicinity of Boswell in 1860, Map # 2. The area today known as the borough of Boswell was first settled and constructed in 1901 by the I Merchants Coal Company.’ Thomas T. Boswell, the first president and general manager of the company, selected the site based on the reserves of high quality semi-bituminous coal underlying the region. Land was first purchased in 1900 from Jenner Township property owners including Oliver I Peterson, Lucy Stufft, and Freeman Gonder. The Boswell Improvement Company, a subsidiary of the Merchants Coal Company, surveyed and laid out 1,600 lots in a grid pattern on a one square mile parcel of land. Each lot measured 50 feet by 120 feet. On these lots, the company erected numerous 1 miners’ houses, managers’ houses, a company store (at the comer of Morris Avenue and Stony Creek Street), an office (at 404 Morris Avenue), and a bank (at 412 Morris Avenue). Streets were 36 feet I wide; sidewalks were twelve feet wide. Twenty foot wide fire alleys were located between blocks. The most prevalent house types in Boswell were the semidetached brick or frame residences with twelve or ten rooms, several examples of which can be found on Susquehanna Street and Juniata i Street. The bank, company store, office, and superintendent’s home were impressive structures built of stone. The stone and brick construction utilized in Boswell sets the area architecturally apart from I most other company towns of the era. Influenced by the industrial welfare movement, which demanded that mine operators improve both living and working conditions for employees, the Boswell company focused on improving the appearance of the workers’ houses and the character of I streets and sidewalks, as a means for improving the living conditions of its employees. I * This mid-sized company was later owned by the United Coal Company (1917-1918), the Davis Coal I and Coke Company (1918-1939), the Berwind-White Mining Company, and the Quemahoning Coal Company. I BOSWELL I BOROUGH I I ComprehensiveI Plan I Somerset County I VICINITY OF I BOSWELL IN 1830 I From: LCG&M, 1830. I I I I I I I I This project was frnanced by a Grant from the Small Communities Planning Assistance Program (SOAP)through the Commonwealth of I Pennsylvania, Department of Community Affairs. I RCWAP RICHARD C. SUTTER and ASSOCIATES, Inc. I Comprehensive PlannersRand Planners Historic Preservation Planners I I I BOSWELL BOROUGH I Comprehensive Plan I Somerset County I VICINITY OF I BOSWELL IN 1860 I I From: LCG&M, 1860. I I I I I I I MAP2 This project was fmanced by a Grant from the Small Communities Planning Assistance I Program (SCPAP) through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community Affairs. I RCWA1 RICHARD C. SUTTER and ASSOCIATES, Inc. E Comprehensive PlannedLand Planners Historic Preservation Planners I I Beginning on October 12, 1901, the company also sold a number of its lots to private investors, who developed them with residential, commercial, and public buildings. Consequently, the town was not 1 entirely owned and operated by the coal company, which differentiates it from other coal towns of the period. Properties on the southwest side of Main Street and the southeast side of Howar Avenue I are examples of privately developed lots. The commercial streets of Main and Center were also privately developed.
1 Between June 1901 and September 1902 an 1100 foot slope entry mine was constructed. The mine site was separated from the town and other mining structures by the Quemahoning Creek. Coal was taken from a 5 % foot C-prime Kittanning seam and was first hauled out of the mine on June 15, I 1901. The product was a high quality steam coal, called Orendcr, meaning magic power in Iroquois. The Boswell mines were medium sized extractive facilities that utilized up-to-date machinery and mining techniques. The operation also boasted the largest steel coal tipple in the world in the early I twentieth century. Also constructed in 1901 was a cut stone powerhouse, which provided electricity for equipment and machinery, and for lighting in the town and in the mines. A significant portion 1 of the powerhouse still stands. In September, 1902, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company constructed the Quemahoning branch I line of the railroad from Friedens to Boswell. A larse local railroad station was then constructed, and daily rail service was available to both passengers and coal. The station stood on Atkinson Way behind the mine superintendent’s house. By 1902, 102 houses were constructed by the coal company 1 in Boswell. Due to the degree of expansion that had occurred since 190 1, Boswell was incorporated as a borough I from a portion of Jenner Township in 1904. The expanded population included immigrants from Hungary, Italy, and Poland who had come to Boswell specifically to work in the mines. By 1906 Boswell was described as “progressive and rapidly growing” (Blackburn, 63). In that year the I estimated population was 1500 residents, and the borough had four hotels and several stores. In 1910, Boswell businesses included two hotels, a bowling alley, a laundry, a hardware store, a jewelry store, a grocery store, two liveries, a cobbler shop, a confectionary and tobacco shop, and the Boswell Hotel 1 and Bar. The Saints Peter and Paul Russian Orthodox Church and the St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church and Parochial School had also been erected.
I By 1905 an additional 180 houses were erected. In 1910, the Orenda No. 2 mine, a slope entry mine, and Merchants No. 2 mine, a drift mine, were in operation. They produced 475,000 tons of coal and 1 507 workers were employed. Boswell had 1,878 residents in that year. By 1910 a number of other industrial buildings had been constructed. A machine shop, blacksmith shop, mule barn, and storage structures stood on the southeast side of Atkinson Way. Archaeological remains of these structures 1 are evidence of their existence. A stone pump house was also constructed. It provided water to the power house and the mines. Deteriorating remains of the pump house are extant. See Map # 3, 1 Boswell in 1909. 1 BOSWELL I BOROUGH I Comprehensive Plan I Somerset County I BOSWELL IN 1909 I I Train Station
I Quemahoning Branch of the B&O Railroad I Merchants Coal Co. Mine I J I
I From: Hogg, J.B. New Map of the Coal Fields of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, 1909. I I MAP3 This project was fmanced by a Grant from the Small Communities Planning Assistance Program (SCPAP) through the Commonwealth of I Pennsylvania, Department of Community Affairs. I RCSHA4 RICHARD C. SUTTER and ASSOCIATES, Inc. I Comprehensive Plannedand Planners Historic Preservation Planners I Most of the workers’ housing was completed by 1912. During the 1920s steam coal was transported from Boswell to markets in the eastern tidewater cities and to western American states. An overseas trade was also established with Cardiff, Wales. In 1920 over 300 workers mined 221,000 tons of coal. In 1920 the population of Boswell peaked at 2,168 residents. In 1929 1200 tons of coal were produced in Boswell daily by 250 workers. By 1930 196 miners were employed, producing 13 1,000 tons of coal.
The period of Boswell’s development was one of labor management conflicts, and conditions in Boswell reflected existing tensions throughout the state’s bituminous coal industry. Boswell miners struck in 1903 and again in 1922. Riots associated with the 1903 strike resulted in several shootings, convictions, and imprisonments. Not until the 1930s did Boswell miners successfully organize a union. The era was also one of dangerous working conditions. Major mining disasters occurred in Boswell in 1909 and 1915. Both were caused by gas explosions, resulting in five workers killed in 1909 and 22 miners killed in 1915.
During its prosperous period, Boswell also operated as a lumber and regional commercial center. In 1926 the Boswell Lumber Company, first organized in 1909, moved to Boswell and began construction of a logging railroad and logging camps. This operation was one of the last of its kind I to be established in Pennsylvania. The logging railroad and sawmill operations ended in 1939, at which time the company turned to retail building supply operations. See Map # 4, Boswell in 1930. ‘I In 1930 the Phillips-Jones Corporation built a shirt manufactory in Boswell at the southeast comer of Atkinson Way and Ohio Street. Many of the workers employed at the plant were wives and daughters of local miners. By 1940, the Boswell coal mines had closed, due primarily to the excessive cost of transporting coal the three mile distance to the slope portal from the underground workings. The tipple and conveyor belt system were immediately demolished. When the mines closed, many female residents of Boswell sought employment in the shirt factory and the new garment factory that opened in the company store building. The shirt factory operated only until 1941.
In the 1950s coal was strip mined in the Boswell area, and the Bosweil Lumber Company’s timberland was sold to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. In 1957 the garment factory continued in operation with 400 employees. Natural gas production began in the region in the 1950s. In 1980 Boswell’s population numbered 1,480 residents. The garment factory operated until 1988. Today, commercial establishments remain on Main Street and many borough residents are retired mine workers.
Historic Preservation in Boswell Borough
Historic preservation efforts in Boswell are well advanced for a borough of this size and period. A National Register Historic District has already been established and a recently completed county heritage development plan addressed resources in Boswell. In addition, the borough is situated in a region of southwestern Pennsylvania that benefits from the efforts of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission. Each of these elements can play a part in retaining and capitalizing upon the significant character of the borough and in improving the quality of life in Boswell.
T- - I I-D, I BOSWELL BOROUGH Comprehensive Plan
-...... _.- Somerset County ?ELI. .SO6 ATKINSON e4 . I ...... A PORTION OF I BOSWELL IN 1930 6 ! I .. 1: ... I I !J' I I 48 i :j 1 From: Sanborn Map .._. jf. I I , d I Company, 1930. k- ! I ... ._...... I......
7--- ,.- ..-, 7.! ...... C?...'.., ...... G, MORRIS AV.:...... i MORRIS I I . :+01: : s, AV I I
90
dl -1 I - ~ ~ . . , *i :* This project was fmanced by a Grant from the Small Communities Planning Assistance Program (SCPAP)through the Commonwealth of I I !. Pennsylvania, Department of Community Affairs. ! I 4 I I I RCSiAP RICHARD C. SUTTER and ASSOCIATES, Inc. comprehensive PlannersRand Planners Historic Preservation Planners National Register Resources
I The Boswell Historic District is a significant example of a planned coal town and extractive facility in southwestern Pennsylvania in the first four decades of the twentieth century. The district is roughly I bounded by Howar Avenue at the southeast, Atkinson Way and the Quemahoning Creek at the northwest, Main Street at the southwest, and Juniata Street at the northeast. It contains 115 buildings, 90 of which contribute to the historical and architectural significance of the district. The buildings I include single and multiple residential, religious, industrial, commercial, and governmental structures executed in styles ranging from late Victorian, to late nineteenth and twentieth century revivals, to Colonial Revival. The buildings are primarily wood and brick structures on stone foundations with I roofs covered with asphalt shingles. The buildings retain significance from the period 190 1 to 1939, and the district is significant in the areas of industry, community planning, social history, architecture, 1 and historical archaeology. Somerset County Heritage Development and Promotion Strategy
I The Somerset Coim2L) Heritage Development and Promotioii Strategy was prepared to provide recommendations and strategies for local organizations to capitalize on the economic benefits of travel and tourism dollars spent in Somerset County. The Strategy provides a history of the county, I outlines common issues facing local historical organizations, provides lists of heritage resources, and identifies an action plan for pursuing development efforts. The Strategy identifies the following I existing historic resources and opportunities in Boswell:
8 The Boswell National Register Historic District I 8 The Boswell shirt factory 8 The Boswell pump house remains I 8 Boswell Community Days The Strategy identifies the following as potential activities that could be pursued:
I The production of a history book on Boswell 8 The production of a video to promote the town I 8 Boswell Rails to Trails 8 Boswell Visitors Center w Boswell Tipple Monument
I The Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation CommissiodPath of Progress I The Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission (SPHPC) works to organize the diverse natural, scenic, and historic sites of Southwestern Pennsylvania into a coherent whole, and does so primarily by two methods. One method is the Path of Progress, the other is the Pennsylvania I Heritage Parks. The Path of Progress is a driving tour route that connects heritage sites in nine counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The Path of Progress passes through Somerset County, a short distance from Boswell. The Somerset County Heritage Route, a related tour route, runs along I Route 60 1 through Boswell. I The SPHPC encourages the development of resources into attractions that are a part of a comprehensive tourism development effort, and believes in maximizing the potential contribution of I tourism to the local economy. The SPHPC funds heritage-related development projects (such as the Somerset County Heritage Development and Promotion Strategy) and can provide technical assistance 1 for such projects. The SPHPC should be considered as an important partner in any heritage related activities in Boswell. See Boswell Historic District Map #5.
I Boswell Area Historical Society
The Boswell Area Historical Society is located at 207 Juniata Street, Boswell, PA 1553 1. This I organization should be considered as an important partner in all heritage related activities in Boswell. I Summary of Findings The borough of Boswell was first established in 1901 as a coal mining town and as a center 1 of commerce. The character of the borough’s architecture and of the ownership of some of the property in I the borough distinguish Boswell from other coal towns of the period. The architectural, historical, industrial, social, archaeological, and community planning I significance of Boswell were recognized in 1994 when the Boswell Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
1 The Somerset Coirnty Heritage Development aid Promotiori Strategy is an important document for the borough of Boswell because it outlines significant heritage resources of the I borough, as well as potential activities to be pursued. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage Preservation Commission, the Somerset Historical Center, and the Boswell Area Historical Society are all important organizations that should I be consulted regarding all potential heritage activities in the borough. I I I I I I
I I I I I I I I Section C: 1 I Economic Analysis I I ECONOMIC SUMMARY
Boswell Borough is not large enough to be reported separately in the Census of Business statistics. I Hence, the only published economic data available at this level is from the Census of Population. A short county-level summary of economic conditions in Somerset County follows the analysis of Census data to provide a larger regional context. However, an examination of the labor force by I industry, employment type, place of work, and time to work, as well as an examination of the general population by income and poverty, accurately defines an area’s economic characteristics.
I Boswell Borough’s economy is influenced by the economies of its neighboring townships, nearby boroughs, and Somerset County as a whole. Therefore, the “study area,’ for this analysis shall be defined as Boswell Borough, Stoystown Borough, Jennerstown Borough, Somerset Borough, Jenner I Township, Quemahoning Township, the City of Johnstown, Somerset County as a whole, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a whole. Note that all of the municipalities in the study area are within Somerset County except for Johnstown, which is in Cambria County. Johnstown was added I because of its close proximity to Boswell and its role as the region’s major economic and population center. Despite its relatively large size, it will show if trends established by Boswell are comparable I to a nearby large urban area.
.. I Labor Force In 1990, Boswell Borough had 461 employed residents. Of these, 252 were male and 209 were I female. There were also 38 males and 37 females that were unemployed but seeking work. This total of 536 labor force participants came from a total of 1,113 persons over the age of 16, giving the Borough a Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) of 48.1%. This figure is extremely low, even for I Western Pennsylvania. By comparison, Somerset County, which itself is in the lower third of all Pennsylvanian counties in LFPR, had almost 57% of its persons over 16 in the labor force. Jenner Township had a higher LFPR than Boswell at nearly 56%. The Commonwealth was higher than all I other entities in the study area with a LFPR of over 61%. One of the main reasons for the extremely low LFPR was the high percentage of persons over 65 in the population -- 18.2%. Although all persons over 16 are considered by the Census to be of working age, most persons 65 and older have I retired or are no longer actively seeking work. I Overall, the region has a relatively low LFPR, most likely from a combination of age structure and long-term economic decline. I Place of Work
I Most residents of small places in Pennsylvania do not work in their place of residence. In fact, only 30.1% statewide do work in their place of residence. The percent employed in their local borough or township tends to decline as population decreases. In Somerset County, which has many small I population centers, only 24.2% work in their place of residence. I
I-L, 1
I Employment by Occupation ..
I In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, just under 44 percent of all workers are employed in traditional “blue collar” occupations. However, there is wide variation by municipality across the state. In Somerset County as a whole, over 57% of all workers fall into this category. In Boswell, the I total in this category is over 65%, and Jenner Township is more extreme at just under 68%. This is typical of municipalities in Western Pennsylvania because of the historical concentration of manufacturing and mining in this area. However, the high levels of Jenner Township and Boswell I Borough are exceptional for the south central area. Besides Quemahoning Township, who’s blue collar distribution tops 63%, all other areas in the study are closer to the state‘s ratio -- below 50%. I Most notably, Somerset Borough’s blue collar distribution is below 40%. The percentage of workers in the managerial and professional occupations is well below the state’s I 25.2%. In Somerset County and Jenner Township, this level falls to less than 11%. The percentage of workers in the managerial and professional occupations is just about the same as the County level I for Boswell Borough. The largest category of occupation for Boswell Borough in 1990 was the “other service” category, which includes many retail and personal service occupations as well as non-professional medical, I business service, and educational industry employees. This category made up almost one-quarter of the total occupations in Boswell. This was also the only area in the study to have more than 15 I percent in this category, except for Johnstown City. See Table C-3. I Industry Profile The data in Table C-4 is presented in total numbers and percentage terns for each area as means of revealing trends and characteristics in a meaningful manner. By 1990, only 20% of all workers in I Pennsylvania were employed in the manufacturing industries. This was a decrease from about 30 percent in 1970. In Somerset County, a similar trend occurred as 19.9% of its workers were employed in manufacturing in 1990. Jenner Township historically has not had as high of a level of I manufacturing employment, and the 1990 levels in this category fell to just under 15%. Boswell Borough is slightly higher than the state and County: 22.2% of its workers were employed in manufacturing. However, Boswell’s largest employment is in retail trade: 22.6% of its workers are I employed here. This is the highest total for any entity in the study area in retail employment. Unfortunately, many of these occupations are lower paying than those in other industries. Other major employers for Boswell are construction, health care, and educational services -- each which I employs between 7.4 and 8.0% of Boswell’s workers.
Figure C-2 on the next page provides a graphic picture of the major employers in Pennsylvania, I Somerset County, Jenner Township, and Boswell Borough. In the growing service economy and declining availability of typical “blue collar” opportunities of the 199Os, Boswell must be concerned I with a lack of employment opportunities in the service and professional occupations. It should look to diversify its employment base. In relation to state-wide patterns, local residents are nearly as dependent as residents of the Commonwealth as a whole on manufacturing, and much more I dependent on mining, construction, and retail trades. Nationally, construction and mining have experienced cyclical and structural dislocations in recent years. The diversification of the economy by building upon the services and professions would assist the local region in the mitigation of these 1 or any future similar dislocations.
I total in the study. This was well below the Commonwealth median of $34,856 and the Somerset County median of $25,549. In comparison, Jenner Township had a median household income of .I $23,729. Over 34.5% of all households in Boswell Borough had incomes below $10,000 in 1989. Only 4.5% of Boswell’s households had incomes above $50,000 in 1989, and only 15% had above I $35,000. I Poverty As might be expected, poverty is exceptionally high in Boswell Borough. In 1990, almost 30% of all I persons in the Borough were below the poverty level. The average for the Commonwealth was only 11.1%. Again, the location of public housing complexes, which make up almost 20% of the Borough’s population, add greatly to this figure. Boswell’s poverty rate is the highest in the study I area, exceeding Johnstown’s by just under 3%.
I Findings
rn A substantial percentage of Boswell’s population is over the age of 65. In 1990, this was I compounded by a very high unemployment and poverty rate. Hence, the labor force participation rates are well below average.
I Low incomes are directly related to low labor force participation, a high concentration of employment in retail trade, and an occupational profile which is heavy in non-skilled blue I co 1 1ar categories . I 1 1 1 I I I ,I
I-c, 3 I able c-l Labor Farce and I’lace of Work
NAME Pennsylvanin Sunierset County Jenner ‘l‘uwnship Bssuell Uoruugh Jennerstown Bur. Qliernahoning Township Sloystuwn Borough Sonierset Borough Juhnrtown City
Number Pmcnl Number Pcrccnl Nua8ber Fuccnl h’utdwt Rocr.8~1 Nuutber Pcrecul Nvwber Percciil Number Pcrccnl Number Perccni Number Pcrconi LABOR FORCE: hlalr, over 16: In Anncd Forces 16659 0.2 63 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 00 0 0.0 6 0. I I4 0 I Employed 2952871 31.4 18251) 30.0 951 29.6 252 22.6 I54 27.4 58 1 32.5 93 29.7 1401 27.8 4722 20.7 Uneinployed 198697 2.1 1608 2.6 49 1.5 38 34 14 2.5 41 2.3 3 I.o 98 I .9 898 3.9 Not in labor force I248442 13.3 8932 14.7 543 16.9 207 18.6 86 15.3 249 13.9 52 166 686 I3 6 4168 18.3 Th11ACile 4416669 4-.11 2XS.53 4-.4 Ij43 4RV 49- 4.i. - 254 45.1 x-I 4x3 I4X 4-.3 2191 43.4 9x112 43.1 Female. over 16: In Anned Forces 1951 0.0 5 00 0 00 0 0.0 0 00 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 Eniployed 2481661 26.4 13344 21.9 71422.2 200 18.8 I I4 20.2 396 22.2 59 18.8 1278 25.3 4384 19.3 Unemployed 146098 1.6 913 1.5 74 2.3 37 3.3 4 0.7 30 I .7 6 I .9 55 1.1 608 2:7 Not in labor force 2346137 25.0 17737 29. I 884 27.5 370 33.2 I91 33.9 480 27.4 IO0 31.9 1520 30. I. 7969 35.0 Tom1 I;;.eiole 49-614- 53.1) 3 I999 52.6 16-2 52.11 616 55.3 3119 54.9 915 51.2 165 52.- 2x53 56.6 12961 56.9 TOIUl 9392x16 11111.11 61M2 11111.11 321-T 101l.ll 1/13 11lll.11 563 11~11.1l I -x6 111ll.V 313 IVV.11 51144 1VlI.ll 21-63 101l.O PLACE OF WORK: Worked in County of Residence 4006525 74.9 23130 74.2 1263 77.1 370 82.0 188 71.5 765 79.7 I19 81.0 2501 94.6 8152 91.3 Worked out of County 1110200 20.8 6746 21.6 366 22.3 81 18.0 70 26.6 I84 19.2 28 19.0 I26 4.8 724 8.1 Worked out of State 231407 4.3 I308 4.2 9 0.5 0 0.0 5 1.9 II I1 0 0.0 17 0.6 56 06 7iml 1I‘dwr.s 534x132 1VV.O 31/93 /VlI.ll 163X 11111.11 4ji /trll.ll 263 1111l.fl 9611 lull 11 14- 1V0.11 2644 I vu.v 8932 11111 0
Worked in Minor Civil Division of Resi 1609919 30.1 7564 24 2 98 60 116 257 49 186 65 6.8 36 24.5 1722 65.1 5654 63.3 Worked out of MCD 3738213 69.9 2362‘) 758 1540 940 335 74 3 214 81 4 895 93.2 Ill 75.5 922 34.9 3278 36.7 liitol IViirker~ 534x132 lllll.ll 31/93 11l(I.V I6.m lonll +.TI 1111l.11 263 11111.11 9611 1111l.V 14- 1111l.V 2644 101l 11 x932 1llO.11
Source. I990 US Census of Population i Housing .. : I
Time to Work, 1990
NAhIE Pennsylvania Somersel County JctinerToiviisliip Uuswell Burough Jetinentown Hor. Qhemahuning Township Stoystown Borough SomersetBorough Johnstulvn City Numbr Pcrccnl Numbr Pcrccnt Numbr Psrcwt Nambr Pcrc'r.nt Numbr Purccnl Numk Pcrccnl Numbr Pcrccnl Numbr Pcrccni Numbr Pcrccnt Transit 'lime -z 5 hlitwtes 209293 3.9 2021 6.5 I I4 7.0 38 8.4 12 4.6 57 5.9 IO 6.8 313 11.8 393 4.4 5-9 663562 12.4 5177 16.6 180 11.0 65 14.4 42 16.0 68 7.1 15 10.2 905 34.2 1426 16.0 10-14 873894 16.3 4693 IS.0 124 7.6 19 4.2 19 7.2 132 13.8 33 22.4 630 23.8 2241 25.1 15-19 874134 16.3 4971 15.9 166 10.1 56 12.4 42 16.0 168 17.5 15 10.2 293 11.1 2099 23.5 20-24 762843 14.3 4551 14.6 359 21.9 103 22.8 42 16.0 207 21.6 30 20.4 91 3.4 1212 13.6 2529 306291 5.7 1674 5.4 178 10.9 55 I?.? I4 5.3 59 6. I 12 8.2 44 1.7 281 3.1
30-34 620439 11.6 3349 10.7 280 17.1 66 14.6 61 23.2 116 12.1 15 10.2 113 ' 4.3 583 6.5 3s-39 131044 2.5 511 1.6 33 2.0 10 2.2 7 2.7 24 2.5 3 2.0 0 0.0 53 0.6 40-44 158154 3.0 566 1.8 14 0.9 8 1.8 2 0.8 I4 I .5 4 2.7 24 0.9 102 1.1 .. 45-59 350019 6.5 I182 3.8 110 4.9 I5 3.3 7 2.7 31 3.5 6 4.1 78 3.0 239 2.7
60-89 2l2848 4.0 752 2.4 39 2.4 0 0.0 4 1.5 31 3.2 2 1.4 61 2.3 . , 203 2.3 got 41060 0.8 285 0.9 9 0.5 0 0.0 2 0.8 7 0.7 0 0.0 19 0.7 0 0.0 H I Worked at ilome 144551 2.7 1461 4.7 62 3.8 16 3.5 9 3.4 43 4.5 2 1.4 13 2.8 100 1.1 0 Y 7i)fd 5348132 11JfJ.O 31193 1110 11 163.3 1011.11 451 101J.O 263 /OO.IJ Y6lJ 11JfJ.fJ 14- 11JfJ1J 2644 1111).1J 8932 100.0 03 Souice: I990 US Census of P ilatioti aid llousitig Table C-3
Nt\hIE Nvlllbu Prrccni Nuhcr Risuiii Nuwber Rrmii Nuiiikr Percctil Nuoikr Pcrcetil Number Pcrccsl Number Pcrccnl Nuiukr Pcrccnl Nviiibr Pcrceni hlanrgerial/Prufessiuiial 1367084 25.1% 5537 17.5% 180 10.80b 76 16.5% ti/ !j.O?b 141 14.4% 43 28.3% 784 29.3% 1515 16.6% lechnical 20505 I 3.8% IO56 3.3:: 29 1.79; 3 0.7% 3 1.1% 33 3.494 I I 7.2% I36 5.1% 386 4.2% Sales 6059 I5 11.1% 2912 9.2% 153 9.2% 29 6.3% 38 14.2% 79 8.1% 17 11.2% 384 14.3% 1061 I I .7% Administrative Suppurt 912845 16.896 3948 12.5% 178 10.7% 52 11.3% 31 11.6% 107 11.0% I I 7.2% 362 13.5% I499 16.5% lluusehuld Service 15050 0.396 109 0.3% 6 0.49; 0 0.0% 2 0.7% 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 16 0.6% 26 0.3% Prutective Service 85556 1.6% 324 1.0% 13 0.8% I2 2.6% 0 0.0% 8 0.8% 2 1.3% 28 I .O% I99 2.2% Other Service 6079 I 4 11.2~~ 4013 12.7% 111 13.3% io7 23.206 35 13.1% I46 14.9% 4 2.6% 313 . I I .7% I798 19.7% Farming, Fishing, Furestry 90255 1.7% 1496 4.7% I05 6.3% 6 1.396 0 0.0% 40 4.1% 0 0.0% 16 0.6% 40 0.4% Precision Production 628076 11.6% 4529 14.3% 319 19.2% 64 13.9% 53 19.8% 166 17.0% 30 19.7% I55 5.8% 7 84 8.6% hlachine Operaln 419553 7.7% 3449 10.9% 240 I4.4?b 68 14.85'0 I4 5.19: 125 12.8O/b 15 9.9% 255 9.5% 736 &I.% Transportation Operatives 237902 4.4% 2460 7.X% 177 10.6% 28 6.1?6 19 7.1% 80 8.2% II 7.2% I58 5.9% 44 I 4.8% Ilandlers and Laburen 259331 4.8% 1761 5.6% 44 2.6% 16 3.54; 6 2.2% 52 5.3% 8 5.3% 72 i.7% 62 I 6.8% Told j434532 101) 0% j/jW 1fJfJ.f~Y: I665 /fJO.(J!% 461 /f)IJ.fJSt 26.Y 100.0% 9-- /fJO.O!% /j2 /OO.fM 26-9 101). OYd 9/06 /O(t.fM U I 0 Blue Collar 2343637 43.1% 18141 57.416 1125 67.0:; 301 65.3% 129 48.1% 617 63.2% 70 46.1% 1013 37.8% 4645 51.0% " WliitelPink Collar 3090895 56.9% 13.153 .1?.69'a 540 32.4:s I~O 34,7u,o 130 51.9% 360 36.8% 82 53.9% 1666 62.1% 4161 49.0% W Source: I990 IJS Ccnstis of I'opnli , and 1 lolisiiip Labor Force by Industry
NAhlE I'ennsylvnsin Sunierset Cuunty Jenner'l'wnship IJuswell Uuruugh Jennerstewn Bur. Qhenlahuning Tuwenhi Stoystown Uorough SomersetBorough Johnstown City Numbcr Pcrccnl Number Pcrccnl Numhr Pme~~l Nunhcr Pcrccnl Nuntbcr Pcrccnl Numbn PL.~CEN Numbcr Percent Nul~~bcr Pcmc~ Nu#>,br Pcrcelt~ .4griculture, Fistiiiig, and Forestry 97811 1.8 I445 4.6 49 7.6 3 0.7 0 0.0 44 4.5 2 1.3 I I 0.4 28 0.3 hlining 31396 0.6 I093 3.5 9 1.4 21 4.6 5 1.9 52 5.3 I2 7.9 24 0.9 54 0.6 Construction 331161 6.1 2586 8.2 81 12.5 37 8.0 21 7.8 70 7.2 I2 7.9 128 4.8 428 4.7 blanufacturiiig. Non-Durable 445349 8.2 2371 7.5 31 4.8 14 7.4 22 8.2 51 5.2 21 17.8 121 4.5 452 5.0 hfnnufacturing. Durable 641871 11.11 3918 I2 4 70 10.8 68 14.8 29 10.8 I28 13.1 9 5.9 316 11.8 I022 11.2 Transponation 24 I749 4.4 I809 5 7 30 6.0 I5 3.3 ?I 7.8 56 5.7 14 9.2 I19 4.4 404 4.1 Communications and Public Utilities I34992 2.5 672 2.1 8 1.2 2 0.4 o 0.0 1 0.2 2 1.3 31 . 1.2 418 4.6 Wholesale Trade 234880 4.3 1079 3 4 I9 2.9 4 0.9 IO 3.7 37 3.8 6 3.9 156 5.8 306 3.4 Relail Trade 931987 17.1 529.1 16.8 103 15.9 1114 22.6 56 20.9 I92 I9 7 15 9.9 538 20.1 1967 21.6 Fire 351519 6 5 I450 4.6 I8 28 25 54 19 7.1 29 3.0 6 3.9 154 5.7 503 5.5 Uusincss Senicrs 236825 4.4 10x1 3.4 10 I 5 16 35 13 4.IJ 42 4.3 1 4.6 75 2.8 272 30 Personal Services 138027 2.5 11% 3.8 47 7.2 16 3.5 I4 5.2 42 4.3 6 3.9 I24 4.6' 214 2.4 Recreatioiial Services 56928 1.0 244 0.8 I2 1.8 7 1.5 4 1.5 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 148 1.6 llealth Care 539555 '1.9 3360 10.6 70 108 34 7.4 18 6.7 91 9.3 8 5.3 357 13.3 1263 13.9 Educational Senices 448888 8.3 1713 5.4 29 4.5 34 7.4 17 6.3 66 6.8 20 13.2 182 6.8 564 6.2 Other Professional 352988 6.5 I448 4.6 41 6.3 32 6.9 I9 7.1 45 4.6 2 1.3 239 8.9 681 7.5 Public Adniinistration 218606 4.0 829 2 6 13 2.0 9 2.0 0 0.0 30 3.1 4 2.6 Io4 3.9 382 4.2 7bml 5434532 1fJO.O 31594 1011.fJ 649 /fNJ.O 461 /OfJ.(J 268 1OfJ.O 977 111(1.0 152 1110.0 2679 1000 9106 101J.O
Source: 1990 US Census ol'l'o~~elationi Ilousing I-lousclloltl IIIcoIllc, 1990
NAAIE Peniisylvania Sonieivcl Couiily J~iiiirr'Iu\viislii~~Uorrvell Iloruugli Jciiiiei%torvii Bur. Qhenialioniiig Townshi Sloyslowii Borough SumersetUarough Julinsto\vii City
Number Pcrccni Nunihr Purccni Nunlhcr Pcrncni Nusilxr Prrccni Nunh Perccni Nuniber Puruni Number Pcrceni Numbr Pcrccni Number i~tru,,~ Ilouseliold lncoine < SSIIUU 244825 5.4 2020 6.8 99 6.3 70 11.8 3 1.1 41 5.0 6 4.0 270 9.4 2003 16.0 ssouu-9999 452700 10.1 3923 13.3 196 12.5 I14 22.6 37 13.8 113 13.8 I2 8.1 503 17.4 2520 20. I SIOOO0-lZ499 22 I 502 4.9 2155 7.3 145 9.3 47 7.9 30 I 1 .2 84 10.3 IO 6.7 I69 5.9 892 7. I s12suu-14999 193801 4.3 1741 j.9 i) 2 5.9 27 4.6 20 7.4 54 6.6 II 7.4 147 5.1 908 7.2 s1souo-17499 215433 4.8 1871 6.3 65 4.2 41 6.9 19 7.1 50 6.1 17 11.4 I58 5.5 833 6.6 s17suu-19999 I96882 4.4 I x69 6.3 I24 7 9 40 6.7 I1 4.1 53 6.5 2 I .3 217 7.5 698 5.6 S2OUOU-22499 210556 4.9 1818 6.I 102 6.5 35 5.9 18 6.1 55 6.7 I2 8. I 153 5.3 732 5.8 522suu-24999 I 8604 7 4.1 1653 5.6 I26 8.1 18 3.0 4 I .5 46 5.6 0 0.0 147 5.1 488 3.9 125000-27499 2064 I7 4.6 1635 5.5 89 5.7 23 3.9 3 1.1 40 4.9 12 8. I 122 4.2 518 4,. I 527500-29999 172621 3.8 1345 4.5 46 2.9 30 5.1 II 4.1 42 5.1 6 4.0 88 3.0 524 4.2 s3uuuu-32499 207578 4.6 1.147 4.9 I I4 7.3 22 3.7 13 4.8 47 5.8 3 2.0 Ill 3.8. 342 2.7 s325uu-34999 158078 3.5 1037 3.5 52 3.3 I4 2.4 13 4.8 28 3.4 8 5.4 73 2.5 348 2.8 s3suuu-37499 I76887 3.9 927 3.1 24 I .5 16 2.7 3 1.1 28 3.4 I2 8.1 46 1.6 246 U 2.0 I s37sou-39999 140281 3.1 769 2.6 26 I .7 7 I .? 25 9.3 14 1.7 4 2.7 57 2.0 i61 I .3 0 Y S4OUUO-42499 162316 3.6 838 2.8 0 0.0 I4 2.4 6 2.2 23 2.8 5 3.4 93 3.2 225 I .8 2.7 540 I .8 8 0.5 6 13 c-l $42500-44999 I20365 I .o 5.8 19 2.3 8 5.4 60 2.1 171 I .4 c-l S4SOOU-47499 126527 2.8 593 2.0 56 3.6 15 2.5 5 I .9 9 1.1 5 3 .4 62 2.1 162 I .3 $47500-49999 101820 2.3 300 I .3 55 3.5 5 0.8 4 I .5 II 1.3 2 1.3 II 0.4 131 I .o $suoou-54999 192430 4.3 774 2.6 30 I .9 9 I .5 5 I .9 IS 1.8 7 4.7 85 2.9 176 I .4 $5SUU0-59999 I48154 3.3 489 I .7 7 0.4 4 0.7 5 I .9 II 1.3 7 1.3 78 2.7 122 I .o S6WUU-74999 292049 6.5 880 3 .0 69 4.4 6 1 .0 13 4.8 lj 1.8 4 2.7 86 3.0 208 I .7 $7SUU0-99999 193936 4.3 425 I ..I I4 0.9 8 I .3 I 0.4 I1 1.3 I 0.7 49 I .7 85 0.7 0.4 0.0 $IOOUUU-124999 71686 I .6 I33 n U 0.0 0 0.0 8 1.0 0 0.0 42 1.5 . , . 15 0.1 s I2SOl)U- 149999 29870 (1.7 I09 (1.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 5 I .9 0 0.0 0 0.0 13 0.5 12 0. I $Isoouo+ 60197 I .3 21 I 0.7 26 I .7 2 0.3 7 0.7 0 0.0 0 0.0 47 I .6 6 0.0 TOTAL 44Y'YSX 1f)f1.fl 29592 //IfJ.fl I565 1fJfJ.fl 593 /fIfJ.fl 269 1MJ.fl 817 1flf.O 1-49 100.fJ 2887 1fMJ.O 12529 1flO.O Source: 1990 US Ceiisus of Pol itioii and lloiisiiig I I I I I I I Section D: I I Physiography I I I I I I I PHYSIOGRAPHY3 Geology
The geologic structure of Boswell is composed of two formations -- the Glenshaw Formation and the Allegheny Group. The Glenshaw Formation composes the small portion of land area in the northwest I comer of the borough. It is characterized by cyclic sequences of shale, sandstone, red beds, limestone, and coal. It includes four marine limestone or shale horizons. The base of this formation lies at the top of the Upper Freeport coal seam. The Allegheny Group, which composes the majority of the I borough, is characterized by cyclic sequences of sandstone, shale, limestone, clay, and coal. It includes valuable clay deposits and Vanport Limestone. Commercially valuable Freeport, Kittanning, and Brookville-Clarion coals are present. The base of this formation is at the bottom of the I Brookville-Clarion coal seam. The geologic structure of the area is illustrated on the Geology Map, Map ## 6.
I Topography I Topography, the three-dimensional form of the land surface, is a direct result of the underlying geologic structure and weathering conditions. Hard, resistant bedrock withstands wind and water erosion and results in areas of high elevation and steep slopes. Softer rocks erode to form valleys and I gently sloping land.
Somerset County is located in the southwestern portion of Pennsylvania known as the Laurel I Highlands. Most of the county is a high plateau situated between the crest of the Allegheny Front on the east and Laurel Hill on the west.
I Boswell is situated in the Allegheny Mountain Section of the eastern part of the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province, which is situated west of the Appalachian Front. An area of rolling uplands cut by deep, steep stream valleys, the plateau’s surface is underlain by warped sedimentary rocks -- I including thick layers of bituminous coal. It is divided by numerous rivers and streams into valleys with knobby hills. The landscape of the Plateau is an irregular one that is dominated by far- branching stream patterns. In Somerset County, the Plateau is characterized by northeast oriented I ridges and highly elevated, stream-dissected valleys. I I
The information presented in this section is based on the following sources: The Atlas of Pennsylvania. I Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1989. Boswell, PA. USGS quad, 1993. Miller, E. Willard (ed.). Department of Environmental Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey. Geologic Map of Pennsylvania, 1980. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Flood Insurance Rare Mapfor the Borough of 1 Boswell, PA, 1984. A Geography of Pennsylvania. University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University, 1995. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survey of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. I 1983. U.S. Department of the Interior. National GVetfandsInventoryfor Boswell, PA.
IB 1-0,T I
I Boswell is located in a valley at the base .of the Laurel Hill, on the east side of Quemahoning Creek. The topography of Boswell rises gradually from the northwest to the southeast, with low elevations I in the 1800 foot range along the western boundary of the borough and high elevations in the 2000 foot range in the southeastern corner. The topography of the borough is indicated on Map # 7.
I Slope I Slope determines the areas in which construction can occur and the types of construction that are feasible. Slope also has a significant impact on excavation requirements, sewage requirements, and construction costs. Slope is expressed as a percentage: it is the inclination of the surface of the land I relative to the horizontal datum. For example, one percent slope is equivalent to a one foot vertical deviation over one hundred feet of horizontal distance. The following table presents the four major I slope categories with their associated suitable development types. TABLE D-1 1 I Slope Suitabie Development Uses 0-8% Generally economically capable of large scale or intensive land use development. including but not limited to industrial areas. commercial complexes. major public facilities. and high I density residential developments 8-15% Intensive and large scale land uses are less feasible; single family high density development I is possible 15-25% Scattered low density residential development and other less intensive uses; these areas should be utilized only after less steeply sloped areas have been developed Over 25% Genedly unsuitable for building purposes; best suited to passive recreation and conservation areas
The vast majority of land area in the borough of Boswell is represented by slopes in the 0 to 8% range. Small pockets of land with slopes in the 8 to 15% range are located in five areas. The largest is situated southwest of Merchants and Garrett Avenues. Another large area of this slope is situated east of the northeastern end of Garrett Avenue. Smaller areas of this moderate slope are found along the BoswelVJenner Township boundary just southeast of Rt. 601 and along LR 55082. Slopes over 15% represent only small portions of the Borough’s land area. Very small portions of this slope are situated along the Boswell/Jenner Township boundary southeast of Rt. 601 and along LR 55082. A larger portion of these steeper slopes is found near the borough line, northeast of Morris, Howar, and Merchants Avenues. The slopes of the borough are identified on the Slope Map, Map # 8.
I DrainageMlood Plains
I Drainage is the natural process of the downhill flow of all water from the land to the seas and the means by which the water is carried. The land areas that contribute water to a stream are called that stream’s drainage basin. Drainage basins are directly determined by the topography of the land. I Boswell is located within the Ohio River Basin Drainage System. The immediate area is drained I chiefly by Quemahoning Creek. The Quemahoning Reservoir is situated to the east. The vicinity of Boswell is characterized by seasonal flooding concentrated between the months of December and March -- caused primarily by heavy rain and snow melts. The 100 year flood plain in I Boswell is located along Quemahoning Creek, which travels along a portion of the northwestern boundary of the borough and turns eastward in the northern section of the borough. The flood plains I of Boswell are identified on the Floodplains Map # 9. Wetlands
I Wetlands are transitional lands between terrestrial and aquatic systems in which the water table is at or near the surface, or in which the land is covered by shallow water. Water in wetlands is present in sufficient amounts to support vegetation that is typically adapted for life in saturated soil I conditions, as in swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. The identification of these resources is important for both the protection of the wetlands and the protection of human life and property. The National Wetlands Inventory of the U.S. Department of the Interior has identified one wetland in I Boswell. It is situated in the southeastern comer of the borough. The classifications of this wetland I follow. Ecological System: Palustrine Class: Emergent I Water Regime: Non-Tidal: Saturated/Semipermanent/Seasonal
The National Wetlands Inventory has also classified Quemahoning Creek in this area. The I classifications follow.
Ecological System: Riverine I Ecological Subsystem: Upper Perennial Class: Open Water (Unknown Bottom) I Water Regime: Non-Tidal: Intermittently ExposedPermanent I I I I
Soils
I The types of soils present within a given location have a direct relationship to agricultural pursuits, construction, and development. Soil type determines agricultural productivity, natural drainage I characteristics, building foundation requirements, and sewage disposal requirements. Soils found in Somerset County are classified under the order of Ultisols. These soils were formed ~I from material weathered from shale, siltstone, and sandstone. They were developed over long periods of time. Many of the soils in this area have limitations for urban development, based on slope, wetness, surface stones, and/or depth to bedrock. Hydric soils and prime agricultural soils are I represented in the Boswell area. The soil distribution of Boswell is described below and indicated graphically on Maps # 10 and 11.
I Hydric Soils Hydric soils are soils that are saturated with water. Identification of these soils is important because the location of hydric soils is one indication of the potential existence of wetland areas. Hydric soils are also typically good for agricultural pursuits, but not for development. Seven I different hydric soils represent a very small portion of the borough of Boswell. These soils are located primarily at the southeastern and northwestern borders of the Borough, in an area along the northeastern border of the municipality and in an area southwest of Mississippi Street. The hydric I soils represented include Hazleton very bouldery sandy loam (Ha), Monongahela silt loam (MOA), Philo silt loam (PH), Pope fine sandy loam (PO), Udorthents smoothed (UOA), Wharton silt loam I (WHC), and Wharton very stony silt loam (WVB). The characteristics of these soils are described below. II Hazleton very bouldery sandy loam (HZB) is found at 0 to 8% slopes on mountaintops and lower side slopes. It is a deep, well drained soil with moderately rapid to rapid permeability, slow to medium runoff, and slight erosion hazards. Approximately 60 to 90% is covered with boulders and stones, I which make it a poor choice for cropland, pasture, and most nonfarm uses. All areas of this soil in Boswell are used for woodland, and there is some potential for the use of these areas as natural areas I and wildlife habitats. Monongahela silt loam (MOA) is found at 0 to 3% slopes on terraces along major streams. These are moderately well drained soils with moderately slow permeability, moderate available water capacity, I and slight erosion hazards. Most areas of this soil are used for cultivated crops, although some are used for pasture. Potential for nonfarm uses is limited because of the permeability and a high I seasonal water table. Thus, there are limitations for homesites and onsite waste disposal. Philo silt loam (PH) is a nearly level, deep, moderately well drained soil found on flood plains in I major stream valleys. Permeability is moderate or moderately slow. Available water capacity is high. Runoff is slow or very slow. The hazard of erosion is slight. Most areas of this soil are used for cultivated crops, although some areas are used for pasture. There is limited potential for urban uses I due to flooding and a seasonally high water table. Pope fine sandy loam (PO) is a nearly level, deep, well drained soil on flood plains in major stream I valleys. Permeability is moderate to moderately rapid, and available water capacity is high. Runoff is slow and the hazard of erosion is slight. Most areas of this soil are used for cultivated crops. Small areas are used for pasture. Potential for nonfarm uses, particularly for homesites and onsite waste I disposal, is limited due to flooding.
7- n I-u, 0 Wharton silt loam (WHC) is found at 8 to 15% slopes on upper and lower side slopes of broad hills and ridges. It is a deep, moderately well drained soil. Permeability is slow or moderately slow, and available water capacity is high. Runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is severe. Most areas of this soil are used for cultivated crops; some areas are used for pasture. This soil has limited potential for nonfarm uses, especially for homesites and onsite waste disposal, due to slow I permeability, a seasonal high water table, and slope. I Wharton very stony silt loam (WVB) is found at 3 to 8% slopes. It is a deep, moderately well drained soil on broad hills and ridges on uplands. Large stones cover 5 to 15% of the surface. Permeability is slow or moderately slow. Available water capacity is high. Runoff is slow and the hazard of I erosion is slight. Most areas of this soil are used for woodland. The soil is not suited to cropland or pasture due to surface stones. The stones, the permeability, and a seasonal high water table seriously 1 limit homesites and onsite waste disposal. Hydrological Characteristics are shown on Map # 1 1. Prime Agricultural Soils The Soil Conservation Service designates soil types through county surveys. Among other categories, soils are classified according to eight productivity ratings, with 1 I being the most productive and 8 being the least productive. Soils with a rating of 1 or 2 are classified as Prime Agricultural Soils. These soils are best suited for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, and are available for cropland, pasture land, range land, and forest land. The growing I season, moisture supply, and a variety of soil characteristics including soil temperature, Ph, depth to water table, flooding characteristics, erosion characteristics, and rock content are all considered in this I designation. In Boswell, Prime Agricultural Soils include Cookport Loam, Rayne-Gilpin Channery Silt Loam, and I Wharton Silt Loam. These soils occupy the central section of Boswell, and underlie a majority of the borough's built-up area. A small portion of Prime Agricultural Soils is also found in the northwest I comer of the borough. The characteristics of these soils are described below. Cookport loam (COB) is found at 3 to 8% slopes in broad areas on uplands and on side slopes of hills. These soils are a deep and moderately well drained. Permeability is moderately slow, and available I water capacity is moderate. Runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is moderate. Areas of this soil are desipated as prime farmland. Cultivated crops, pasture, and woodland are its primary uses. Potential for nonfarm uses, including homesites and onsite waste disposal, is seriously limited due 'I to the permeability and a seasonal high water table.
Rayne-Gilpin channery silt loams (Re)of 3 to 8% slopes are considered prime agricultural soils. I They are described below under Other Soils. I Wharton silt loam (WhB) is found at 3 to 8% slopes on broad hills and ridges. It is a deep, moderately well drained soil. Permeability is slow or moderately slow, and available water capacity is high. Runoff is medium, and the hazard of erosion is moderate. Areas of this soil are designated I as prime farmland. Typical uses are for cultivated corps and pasture. A high seasonal water table and the character of the permeability seriously limit potential for nonfarm uses, including homesites and I onsite waste disposal. I
I BOSWELL I KEY A. High S c hool BOROUGH I B .HighSchoolParking(Paved) C.HighSchoolParking(Unpaved) Comprehensive Plan D. SmallWishingWellPark I E.PresbyterianPark F .Church Somerset County G. St.AndrewsLutheranC hurch I H. All SaintsParish I.Telep hone COMMUNITY J .Boroug hB oul di ngandF i reHal 1 I L.BoswellLegion FACILITIES MAP M.BoroughShedWaterAuthori ty N. All SaintsParishHall I 0.All SaintsParishChurch LEGEND P.RussianGreekOrthodoxChurch Q.FireC ompanyGrounds I R. SewageT re atmen tEn trance =COMMUNITYFACILITY S .Postoffice T.HighSchoolFootballField I U.ElementarySchoo1 V.Al1 SaintsCemetery W .TennisCourtandSmallPark I X.ChurchofGod Y.WaterTank I I
I MAP 11 I Boswell Borough Council
I SCALE 1" =700' I I 0 350 700 1400' Thi RCWAP I the RICHARD C. SUTTER and ASSOCIATES, Inc. Program (SCPAP) through the Commonwealth of Comprehensive PlannersRand Planners Historic Preservation Planners I Pennsylvania, Department of Community Affairs. I Natural Resources
I Mineral Resources Coal is the most valuable mineral resource in Somerset County. Boswell is situated in the heart of an important, high quality semi-bituminous coal field, which is part of the I Pittsburgh Basin coal region, and which underlies approximately 14,000 acres in the surrounding region. The Upper Freeport and Lower Kittanning coal seams are accessible in the Boswell vicinity. The Kittanning coal is rapidly being mined out. The Freeport coal remains one of the major 1 reservoirs of good quality coal. These coals were formed in great swamps between the Pennsylvanian and Early Permian Ages, and are recovered by both surface and deep mining. The coal is used for I domestic heat, kiln firing, steam, and metallurgy. This high quality coal was the source for the industrial power that emerged in Southwestern Pennsylvania in the late nineteenth century. It was also responsible for the initial development of I Boswell in the early twentieth century. Mining in Boswell occurred in slope and deep mines beginning in 1901, and strip mining was conducted in the 1950s. Coal mining continues to be a I leading industry in Somerset County, although no mining is conducted in Boswell today. Iron ore and limestone deposits were known in the region in the nineteenth century. Although iron I ore was never mined to a great extent in this region, limestone continues to be an important natural resource. It is mined for use as concrete aggregate and for agricultural and road construction purposes. A quarry exists in the northeastern section of Boswell. A gravel pit is located at the eastern I end. Natural gas is produced north of Boswell in the Williams Pool. Boswell Field production comes from I cherty Onondaga Formation and the Ridgeley Sandstone of the Oriskanny Formation, which are of the Middle and Lower Devonian age, respectively.
I Water Resources The main water resource of Boswell is the Quemahoning Creek, which runs along the northern boundary of the borough. The Quemahoning Reservoir is situated a few miles east I of Boswell, and Stoughton Lake is located west of the borough. Forest Lands Boswell is situated within the Appalachian Oak Forest section of the Eastern deciduous forest province of Pennsylvania. In this tall, broadleaf deciduous forest, white oak and I northern red oak predominate. Other species include sugar maple, sweet birch, bitternut hickory, beech, tulip poplar, white pine, scarlet oak, scrub oak, chestnut oak, and black oak. Much of this I forest is second- and third-growth forest, due to clear cutting for fuel, construction, and development. Lumbering was a major activity in the earliest settlement period of the county, in the 1920s and 1930s I in Boswell, and remains an important natural resource today. There are no designated state forest lands in Boswell. However, state forests are located southwest of Boswell along the western border of Somerset County. These forested areas coincide with several I designated state parks in the area.
Game Lands There are no designated game lands in Boswell. The nearest game lands are State 1 Game Lands #42, situated northwest of Boswell. I I Park Lancls There are no state parks situated within the borough of Boswell. However, a number of state parks are situated to the southwest of the borough, along the western border of Somerset County. These include Laurel Ridge, Laurel Hill, Kooser, Laurel Summit, Linn Run, and Laurel Mountain State Parks. The latter park is the closest to Boswell. These parks coincide with state I forests in this area. I Summary of Findings The geologic structure of Boswell is composed of the Glenshaw Formation and the Allegheny I Group. The vast majority of the land of the borough is characterized by slopes in the 0 to 8 percent 1 range. Only very small portions of land in the borough are characterized by steeper slopes. The 100 year flood plain in Boswell follows the Quemahoning Creek along the northwestern I and northeastern Borough boundaries. 1 One wetland has been identified in the southeastern comer of the Borough. Hydric and Prime Agricultural Soils are present within the Borough of Boswell. Prime Agricultural Soils occupy the majority of the central portion of the Borough. Areas of hydric I soils are located along the Borough’s borders. Coal is a valuable mineral resource in the Boswell area, and was responsible for the 1 development of the Borough in the early part of the twentieth century. Limestone and natural gas are other mineral resources present in the area.
I The Quemahoning Creek is the primary water resource in the borough
There are no designated state forest lands, game lands, or parks in Boswell, although a number I of these resources are situated in close proximity to the Borough. I I I I I I I I I
I I 1 Section E: 1 Community Facilities 1 and I Public Utilities Analysis
I D
I I I I I COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES ANALYSIS Life in a community is affected by the scope of public utilities and community facilities provided. I Infrastructure in most areas are basic, and gaps do exist. This section of the background studies will examine and comment on these various utilities and services for Boswell Borough. I Community Facilities
I Community facilities cover a broad range of buildings, facilities, and services, all of which are very important to life in a community. Educational facilities such as K-12, technical, and advanced education; parks and recreational facilities; libraries; churches; municipal buildings; senior citizens i centers; and public safety resources such as fire, police, and ambulance make up part of the infrastructure found in communities. The number and types of these facilities found in a community I depends not only on the needs and desires of the citizens, but also on the supporting funds available. The availability, quality, and adequacy of these facilities is an important factor in ensuring the I stability and the future development of a community. The Mu nicipril Building
I Boswell Borou& was established in 1901. The Borough occupies 474 acres or .74 square miles with a density of 2,12 1.4 persons per square mile. The Boswell Borough Office is located on the comer of Howar Avenue and Center Street (at 33 1 Center Street), and can be reached by phone at (814) 629- I 6 12 1. Built in 1908, the original structure was built of wood and houses municipal functions. In 1959, the current building was completed. It is the center of Borough governance. Emanating from within this location are the Borough offices, a meeting room, the fire hall, ambulance services, and I the police department. The Borough Council’s meeting room and the Borough Secretary’s office are on the elevated end of the building along Center Street. Along the Howar Avenue side are five garage doors storing the fire vehicles and ambulances. Also along Howar Avenue is the door to the I Police Department.
In addition to the municipal building, the Borough owns and maintains storage garages located on Moms Avenue. There are four buildings: three owned by the Borough and one owned by the Boswell Municipal Water Authority. The Authority operates the first brick building as office space for its daily activities. The Borough owns the other three buildings, which are described as pole buildings. The largest building serves as a garage housing the Borough’s two plow trucks, one backhoe, a street sweeper, and one roller. The next building is a small garage which stores the police cruiser. The next building, placed beside the Authority’s ofice, is a pole building used to store the Borough’s non-skid road materials for winter.
Eriu cation ni Facilities
The North Star School District is centralized in Boswell, with the administrative building located at 1200 Morris Avenue. The administrative office can be reached by phone at (814) 629-5631 [fax (814) 629-6181], As of 1996, the district’s Superintendent is Mr. J. Pat Terlingo. The district employs 18 1 people, including 105 teachers and six administrators. The other five administrators for I 1996 include Mrs. Dawn Maluchnick, High School Principal; Dr. James E. Jensen, Business Manager; Mrs. Amy B. Smith, Board Secretary; Mr. Dennis Leyman, Acting Middle School Principal; Mr. Francis Fregly, Central and West Elementary Principal; and Mrs. Gail Markferding, Acting East Elementary Principal.
The district serves the municipalities of Boswell, Jennerstown, Stoystown, Hooversville, Jenner Township, and Quemahoning Township. Current enrollment has dropped from 1995 with 1,634 students as of November, 8 1996. The district has seen a slight but steady decline in enrollment for at least the last eight years. However, until 1996, the enrollment has been very consistent. 1996 shows the largest decline in eight years. Table E-1 provides a summary of school enrollment over the past eight years. In 1996, of the 1,634 students enrolled, over 93 percent are bused to school (i.e., 1,520 students). These students are gathered from all areas of the 125 square mile school district. Due to the 140 less students since 1989, the bus routes are adequate.
TABLE E-I
t North Star School District Enrollment, 1989-1996 1 NorthStar I 1989 I 1990 I 1991 I 1992 I 1993 I 1994 I 1995 I 1996 Enrollment 1,774 1.706 1.730 1.744 1.734 1.738 1.727 1.63J Change - -3.80/0 2.6% -0.3% -0.6% 0.2% -0.6% -5.4%
North Star Central Elementary School is located behind the stadium at 12 15 Morris Avenue, Boswell. The school was built in 1965 with room additions being completed in 1991. Current enrollment is 274 students. Facilities include a large playground with swings and other playground type equipment and a backstop for a little league field. On the premises is the administrative building, at 1200 Morris Avenue.
North Star West Elementary is located at P.O. Box 189, Elementary Drive, Jennerstown, PA 15547. The building was constructed in 1965 and educated 270 students during the 1996-1997 school year, from Fades K through five. The facilities have remained adequate, but as enrollment has increased since the original construction, room additions were required. In 199 1, room additions were completed and the school is in good operating condition.
North Star East Elementarymiddle School is located at 384 Whistler Road in Kantner, PA 15548. The building was constructed in 1955, and underwent major renovation in 1984. Currently, the school district is scheduling another renovation project for the middle school, to be started within the year. Current enrollment for the 1996-1997 school year is 556 students.
North Star High School is located in the block of Allegheny Street, Ohio Street, Howar, and Merchant Avenues -- specifically 400 Ohio Street, Boswell, PA 1553 1. The high school was built in several phases: 1923, 1952, and 1969. In 1991, a total renovation was completed, leaving the school in excellent condition for the next decade of service. Current enrollment for the 1996-1997 school year is 534 students. Parking is located in front of the building on Allegheny Street, and across from the school at Merchants Avenue parking lot. The parking lot has two basketball courts. I The football stadium is located adjacent to the school along Mississippi Street and Ohio Street. The football stadium contains bleacher type seating, two concession stands, a ticket booth, field lighting, I and a storage shed for field equipment which includes restroom facilities. The facility also serves as the practice field for the North Star Cougars. Within the stadium is a small softball field, which does I not have lighting. I Local Recreational Facilities There are very few areas identified as recreational in the Borough. Nevertheless, these facilities are identified on the Community Facilities Location Map # 12. Many of the available facilities are I sponsored by the North Star School District and located adjacent to the elementary, middle, and high schools. A summary of these facilities are as follows:
I 1. Boswell Lions Club: Oversees and maintains the little league field located behind the football stadium off Howar Avenue. The school district owns the land.
1 2. North Star School District: The school district owns and operates the football stadium complex. The complex contains bleacher type seating for football and lights for night games. The little league field is small and is not illuminated. The stadium has a storage garage on the premises as well as a I ticket booth and two concession stands. The complex also assumes the role of a football practice field. The school district also owns a lot on the comer of Mississippi Street and Ohio Street. The lot I is across the Street from the football stadium and the little league field and contains three blacktop tennis courts. The courts are fenced in and placed in a residential neighborhood ‘/2 block from the 1 North Star High School. 3. Boswrfl Borough Tot-Park: The Borough owns and maintains a tot-park which includes playground equipment in a park-like setting along Howar Street abutting the high school. Recently I the State approved funding for new and additional swings and other equipment for the park. The funding should be released by the spring and all equipment in place by the break in winter weather.
I 4. Fireman’s Grove: The Boswell V.F.D. owns and maintains a small park on the corner of Susquehanna Street and Howar Avenue. The park contains a softball field and three pavilions. The largest pavilion has electricity and a closed-in kitchen. The smaller pavilions are open and one I contains a cement dance floor with a bandstand. I 5. Bo.nvelf Historical Society: Recently the Historical Society purchased a lease on a small tract of land near the coal patch in the north end of the borough and intends to design a park at that location. 1 Regional Recreational Facilities Residents often enjoy recreational activities that are not located within their municipal boundaries. I Access to significant regional parks and recreation can be very attractive to residents. This section 1ists many regional parks and recreational opportunities that the Boswell residents enjoy while I traveling under 20 minutes. I I Among the regional assets are Boswell’s heritage and association with the Lincoln Highway. Boswell, a planned coal company, falls within one mile of the historic highway. The Lincoln Highway, better known as US 30 in Central and Western Pennsylvania, was the first transcontinental highway. The corridor that passes through the towns of Stoystown and Jennerstown in Somerset I County is rich in historic resources and recreational opportunities. Many of these physical and natural features are accessible for Boswell residents. For example, Boswell is in the Allegheny Plateau Region, and is characterized as by an irregular pattern of rolling uplands scored by a myriad of I streams. The topography makes some areas of the Plateau almost inhabitable, but at the same time, provides large expanses of undeveloped landscape, incredible views and vistas, and quality I recreational opportunities. Look below to examine a complete list of natural and physical resources. If Boswell’s residents do not want to travel for cultural enrichment, then they can stay at home where local festivals celebrate the coal and ethnic heritage associated with the large bituminous coal 1 deposits. Other festivals celebrate railroads and the European immigrants who settled there. The recently organized Boswell Area Historical Society has over 400 members. It and the newly formed I merchants association are working to highlight the town’s coal heritage.‘
I 1. Lairrel Ridge State Park: Boswell has access to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, which winds over 70 miles from Johnstown to Ohiopyle State Park, and is connected through a series of park I properties known as Laurel Ridge. The Highlands Trail attracts many recreationalists -- from the serious hiker to the Saturday afternoon pleasure walker. For the long-distance hiker, camping shelters are provided every 8-10 miles along the Trail. Snowfall creates nearly 70 miles of snowmobile trails I and 35 miles of what are reputed to be some of the finest cross-country trails in the East.
2. LarrrdMoirrirairi State Park: Begun in 1939 by Richard K. Mellon as a private facility, Laurel I Mountain was the first major ski resort in western Pennsylvania. It became part of the State Park system in 1964. Its ski slope, which once attracted over 100,000 annually, has been closed for several years now, but is being redeveloped and will reopen in Winter 1996. The State Park is located I slightly south of US 30 just over the Westmoreland County line.
3. Liiiii Ririi Srate Park: Purchased from a lumber company in 1909, Linn Run was originally part of I the Forbes State Forest. During the Lincoln Highway era, thousands of visitors were attracted to the clean mountain springs that could be found at Linn Run. Today the visitors still come for the natural I springs, but they can also participate in picnicking, hiking, fishing, hunting, and winter sports. The family cabins found in Linn Run were CCC and Works Progress Administration (WPA) construction projects, and are on the National Register of Historic Places. Traces of the old Pittsburgh, iI Westmoreland, and Somerset Railroad can be spotted in the park, evidence of the park’s role in the area’s early logging industry. I
‘ Taken from “A Management Action Plan for the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor”, I prepared for the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Steering Committee in August of 1995. The pian was prepared by Mary Means & Associates, Inc., Christopher Chadborne and Associates, Economic Research Associates, LardnerKlien Landscape Architects, P.C., Richard I C. Sutter & Associates, Inc., and Dr. Thomas Corroll.
T- 1 I I-E, 9 I 4. LazrreI Hill State Park: Laurel Hill is an eight mile drive west from Somerset on PA 31. Swimming, fishing, and boating are all permitted at Laurel Hill Lake. Hiking and snowmobile trails I extend out into Forbes State Forest. A National Register Historic District within the park contains the largest collection of CCC buildings in the Pennsylvania State Park System. A park naturalist is I on duty during the summer months. A new Heritage Visitor Center is planned, and when completed, it will allow year-round interpretation of environmental issues and cultural history. I
State Game Lands Number 42 offers seasonal hunting, fishing, and trail opportunities, and is located I 10-15 miles northwest of Boswell off US 30. I Numerous privately operated recreational resources exist throughout the area within a 30 minute drive I of Boswell. 1. Whitelail, Seveii Springs, arid Hi&ii Valley:These all offer a resort type setting with hotel rooms, rental cabins, condominiums, conference rooms, and restaurants surrounded by downhill skiing I opportunities. I 2. Idlewilde Park: This amusement park attracts over 400,000 visitors a year. Its primary markets are Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Columbus. It is located near Ligonier.
I 3. Jeiiiierstowi Speedwrry: Part of the NASCAR racing circuit, this racetrack offers a unique spectator opportunity along the Lincoln Highway in Somerset County. The track offers over sixteen different events annually from April to early October. It is located 11 miles north of the Pennsylvania I Turnpike, Exit 10 (Somerset) on Route 985, Jennerstown, Pennsylvania, 15547. The track provides a link to Carl Fisher, the father of the Lincoln Highway and the founder of the Indianapolis 500.
I 2. Moiiiitairi Plqhoirse: The Playhouse is advertised as Western Pennsylvania's premier professional summer theater, and is located on route 985 !h mile north of route 30 in Jennerstown. Also at the same location, as an intertwined part of the theater, is Green Gables Restaurant. Enjoy the Broadway I quality comedy and musical performances with a lunch or dinner. Lunch, dinner, and evening I packages are available. The theater can be reached by phone at (814) 692-9201. 4. Oak Brook GolfCourse: An eighteen hole public golf course about one mile from the Borough I limits off Route 601 and US 30. 5. S/iding Rock: is a public golf course.
I 6. American Yoiith Soccer Organizatioii: Recently constructed 10 fields
7. Bosl/vel/./cyceesarid Bowelf Liom Chh: built a softball field located on Route 601 approximately one mile south of Route 30. The location has a pavilion and seating for the softball field all placed on about I5 acres of land.
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Public Services
I Services available to the residents of Boswell are extremely important to the safety and well-being of the community. Boswell public services are limited but sufficient considering the current population. Public services include safety features such as police, fire, and ambulance; health 1 concerns such as sanitary sewer and water; and other services such as libraries, mail service, 1 retirement homes, etc. The following sections examine those available in Boswell. y Sewices
I Boswell Borough helps to support and provide emergency service in several areas to its citizens. Boswell operates fire and ambulance services from the municipal building. The Boswell Volunteer Fire Department serves the Borough of Boswell, Jenner Township, and surrounding areas. It also I provides support to Jennerstown, Stoystown, Acosta, and Jerome. The department has approximately 3 5 volunteers with 15 serving on the active roster. These persons share responsibility for fire and ambulance services. As with many small volunteer fire departments, they have volunteer shortages I in the winter. The Fire Department has one Engine (605-l), one Rescue vehicle (605-2), and one Tanker truck (605-4).
I The ambulance services for Boswell are provided through the fire hall. The geographical area served is identical to that of the Fire Department. The vehicle inventory includes three ambulances (605-5, I 6, and 7). Dispatching for all emergency services is conducted through 91 1 based in Somerset. Boswell maintains office space for a police officer in the municipal building, but has not employed I1 a hll-time or part-time police officer since September of 1996. On December 1, 1996, a new part- time police officer began service. The Borough Police Officer will operate the Borough 1986 Chrysler Police Car, and serve only Boswell complaints dispatched through Somerset County 9 1 1. I Boswell receives additional police support from surrounding communities and the Pennsylvania State Police. I
Currently there is no active public library in the Borough. Library type facilities are located in the I high school and all three elementary schools. Most library needs are fulfilled by traveling to I Somerset. The Somerset County Library has a Bookmobile which periodically commutes to Boswell.
I Daily mail service for an area is always supplied by the United States Post Office branch locations. Additional services are often available such as Federal Express, UPS, or other package carriers. The I locations and availability of services for Boswell are examined below. The Borough of Boswell has postal service through a US Post Office Branch located at 908 Atkinson Way across from "The Boswell Prescription Center" shopping plaza. Boswell is one of the few local 1 communities to have carrier service. The Post Office hours are from 8:15 AM to 5:OO PM Monday through Friday and can be reached by phone at 629-5 158. I
1-k, I I Churches
Below is a list of the churches and their locations within the Borough of Boswell:
1. Boswell Church of God- Located at 613 Main Street. 2. Christian Commarriity Church - Located at the corner of Main Street and Merchants Avenue adjacent to the St. Andrews Lutheran. 3. St. Andrews Lutheran Church - Located at the corner of Main Street and Merchants Avenue adjacent to the Christian Community Church. 4.All Saints Parish: Recently St. Joseph and St. Stanislaus churches were combined under the auspices of one parish. St. Joseph Chapel - Located on the comer of Center and Merchants Avenue and was established in 1973, the newest of churches in Boswell. The church contains n large hall on premise for special occasions. St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church - Located on the corner of Howar Avenue and Quemahoning Street. This church also contains a large hall. 5. St. Peter’s and St. Pad’s Chirrch - Located on Quemahoning Street south of the Howar Street intersection. It was established in 1915 as a Russian Orthodox, Greek Catholic Church. 6. St. Paid’s 1st Presbyterian Church - Located on the comer of Howar Avenue and Allegheny Street.
Miscelliin enus Mun icip a1 Facilities
The District Court office of Magistrate William H. Rousch (16-3-01) for the County of Somerset is located in the Boswell Prescription Center on Atkinson Way and Ohio Street.
Conemaugh Home Health Care Service provides a regional home nursing service to persons that are not ill enoush to be in a hospital, but that have limited self-care abilities. The office is located in the Boswell Prescription Center.
Advantage Physical Therapy provides rehabilitation services to Boswell residents and is located in the Boswell Prescription Center.
The Housing Authority of Somerset County maintains an office location at 600 Garrett Avenue. The office is located near the public housing complexes of Boswell Heights and Kircher Place in the south eastern plateau of town.
The Boswell Memorial American Legion is located on the comer of Morris Avenue and Stony Creek Street and serves as a tribute to all persons who lost their lives while defending our country. The legion contains a large hall available for rent.
Community Infrastructure
The service level and conditions of the community infrastructure provides critical components which not only affect community life but developmental potentials as well. Water and sanitary sewer services are two key issues concerning Boswell. Both of these needs are very basic to every community and greatly affect land use patterns within a community. An overview of these systems are to be examined.
-- - 1 1-k, 6 As a first step in the examination and evaluation of the public utilities of the study area, a complete inventory was made. Emphasis was placed on the adequacy, capacity, location, and service area of I each utility in the borough. Maps of the entire area were prepared for sanitary sewer and water I service at a scale of 1“=500’. Water Service
1 An adequate supply of potable water and water service for fire protection are essential components of a community water distribution system.
I Boswell’s water supply is provided by the Municipal Water Authority of the Borough of Boswell with an office located at 300 Stoneycreek Street, Boswell PA 1553 1. It can be reached by phone at 629- 6107. The system was constructed around 1948, and today serves 100 percent of the Borough and I 5% of Jenner Township.
The system is supplied but two wells and the Roaring Run Reservoir (Boswell Reservoir) as a back-up I water source. The authority’s two wells can produce about 453,500 gallons per day (GPD). However, the present day treatment capacity is about 381,600 GPD. If the treatment capacity was I expanded, the system could deliver 453,500 GPD. The system also has a reservoir source. This source could be treated to add another 350,000 GPD capacity. Presently, this source needs filtration treatment to be used in the system for which the current filtration system is not capable. Currently, I the only significant water pressure problems are in the “Pilltown” area. The area does not have excess pressure, and individual home pressure systems are used. The majority of the Borough has adequate water pressure ranging from 40 to 90 pounds per square inch. Currently, the Authority is constructing I a major system expansion to serve Boswoods, a 40 lot manufactured home subdivision located on Main Street near the northern end of the Borough.
I Well #1 is the Authority’s primary water source. It is located in Jenner Township, and the Authority owns the land. It has been used as a source for public water since the fall of 1994. The average production of this source is 150,000 GPD, with a peak production of 201,600 GPD. The water is I treated with chlorine gas and a sequestering chemical. It is introduced into the water with metering pumps at the Well #I control building. Currently, there are no major expansions or repairs scheduled for the well. Also, a delineation study is being completed to determine the surface areas that I contribute water to this source. The Borough does not have a wellhead protection ordinance, but the previously mentioned study may precipitate an ordinance. The major land uses and human activities that take place within a half-mile of the source are some residential dwellings down-gradient of well I and to the sides is authority owned woodlands. Up-gradient is a State Forest. I Well # 2 is also a primary water source. It is located in Jenner Township, and the Authority owns the land. It has also been used as a source for public water since the fall of 1994. The average production of this source is 150,000 GPD, with a peak production of 252,000 GPD. The water is treated with I chlorine gas and a sequestering chemical. It is introduced into the water with metering pumps at the Well #1 control building. Currently there are no major expansions or repairs scheduled for the well. Also, a delineation study is being completed to determine the surface areas that contribute water to I this source. As mentioned, the Borough does not have a wellhead protection ordinance, but the previously mentioned study may precipitate an ordinance. The major land uses and human activities that take place within a half-mile of the source are some residential dwellings down-gradient of well t and to the sides is authority owned woodlands. Up-gradient is a State Forest.
I 1-k, Y The third back-up source of water for the Borough is the Roaring Run Reservoir, fed by a springdstream system located in Roaring Run in Jenner Township and owned by the Authority. This source was the original water source of Boswell, established in the late 1940s. In 1948, the Authority was incorporated and used this source until 1993. In 1993, the well sources were developed to comply with state drinking water standards. The reservoir was taken “off-line,” only to be used in emergencies. The major land uses and human activities that take place within a half-mile of the source are some residential dwellings down-gradient. To the sides is authority owned woodlands. Up- gradient is a State Forest.
The system is served by one main line extending four miles through Jenner Township from the reservoir source through the two wells into the Borough. The line was constructed in 1948, and has a capacity of 600,000 GPD. The average demand on the line is 300,000 GPD, with a peak present day demand of 350,000 GPD. The line is constructed out of transite (AC) pipe. There have not been any abnormal maintenance or service problems on this line in the past two years, nor are there any major repairs or expansions scheduled.
Snnitrrry Sewer Service
Sanitary sewer is a process for the removal of waste from households and other local structures. Boswell Borough’s sewer system is owned and maintained by the Jennerstown Joint Sewer Authority located in Jennerstown at P.O. Box 202 and can be reached by phone at 629-6261. The construction of the system began in 1975 and was completed in 1978. The lines leading to Boswell were constructed in 1982 and reach for 30,000 feet under streets, alleys, and yards. The system capacity is ,800 million gallons per day (MGD) with an average demand of ,381 MGD and a peak demand of ,444 MGD. The system’s demand is not seasonal. The system is not pressurized. The leftover solid waste is disposed of at an approved sanitary landfill. The types of treatment used at the main facility is activated sludge. The system has four pumping stations, all in good working condition. Tap-ins are required along the system’s lines, and the system is in compliance with Pennsylvania Act 537. The Act 537 Plan, however, does recommend expansions.
The Boswell lines have a capacity of .5 MGD with an average demand of ,179 MGD and a peak demand of ,209 MGD. There are no major plans for expansion or repairs, and the Borough is adequately served with 100 percent of the Borough receiving service.
Recycling and Refuse
Refuse removal is, beginning January 1, 1997, contracted out by the Borough on one year contracts awarded to the lowest bidder. Recently, Boswell decided to have all refuse removal services awarded to Southern Alleghenies Disposal Services, Inc. The SADS is located in Davidsville, and can be contacted by phone at (8 14) 479-40 1 1. Recycling services are available twice a month on a separate route. Public Utilities
I Public Utilities are the basic features of community life not supplied by the municipality but deemed as important for the livability of the community. They include private companies regulated by the 1 federal government supplying gas, cable, phone, and electric services to municipal residents and businesses. 1 Gas service for Boswell is primarily supplied by the Peoples Gas Company. The entire Borough has I access to gas service. Boswell is one of the few Somerset County boroughs with gas service. 1 Cahle 1 Basic cable service for Boswell is provided by TCI, Inc.
Phone service is primarily provided by GTE. Long distance is provided by many carriers.
Electric power for Boswell is supplied by GPU
Findings
The municipal building is well maintained and adequate to service the Borough’s needs.
The school district enrollment is declining and expects continual decline. Therefore, the current facilities, most of which have recently been renovated, are in good condition to serve the Borough and surrounding areas for the next 10 years.
Emergency services are adequate for the Borough. However, declines in volunteers for the fire and ambulance services are a concern.
a Recreational opportunities are fair on a Borough basis, but excellent regionally.
The Borough is well served by three major water supplies, with more than adequate volumes. However, if major expansion would occur, the treatment facility could become over burdened.
Public Utility services provide 100 percent coverage for the Borough. Section F:
Land Use Analysis I LAND USE STUDY Land Use is the study and classification of the “man-made” features of the earth’s surface. A I knowledge of existing land use patterns and their relationship to each other must be prepared in order to formulate a plan for the future orderly growth and development of the community.
~I Land use information has a wide variety of applications. These applications include the planning of future utilities such as sewer, water, and power; transportation facilities; parking areas; community I growth and expansion; and future land requirements. In order for land use information to be available, a land use inventory and study must first be performed. A land use study classifies, records, and analyzes the existing use of the developed land I of the community according to the land’s fimctional activities. Although the land use pattern of each community is unique, they all contain three basic classifications of land use: residential, commercial, I and industrial. In classifying the land uses of Boswell Borough, the three basic classifications have been expanded as follows: single-family residential, two-family residential, multi-family residential, special residential mobile homes, commercial, industrial, publichemi-public, streets and alleys, I wooded, water covered, and vacant land. The results of the land use study are presented in the form of an existing land use map and a statistical summary. Refer to Map # 13, Existing Land Use Map I and Table F- 1 - Boswell Borough Existing Land Use Summary. I Land Use Characteristics: An Overview Land use patterns in Boswell Borough reveal a moderate to low density Borough with a high concentration of residential properties, semi-public lands, and other lands dedicated to streets and I alleys. Many of the current land use patterns reflect the town’s history. Boswell was one of many coal towns that originated as a result of the expansion of the bituminous coal industry in Pennsylvania in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The rise of the coal industry was based on the 1 great demand for coal prompted by the iron, steel, and railroad industries, which boomed after the ‘I 1870s. The area today known as the Borough of Boswell was first settled and constructed in 1901 by the Merchants Coal Company.’ The Boswell Improvement Company, a subsidiary of the Merchants I Coal Company, surveyed and laid out 1,600 lots in a grid pattern on a one square mile parcel of land. Each lot measured 50 feet by 120 feet. The result is an industrial town occupied heavily by residential housing and access streets. The main industry was mining located outside of the Borough, which I explains the low amount of land classified as industrial within the Borough. I I This mid-sized company was later owned by the United Coal Company (1917-19 18). the Davis Coal 1 and Coke Company (1918-1939). the Berwind-White Mining Company. and the Quemahoning Coal Company.
-. I 1-F 1
I Local land use in the Borough has been classified into ten broad categories, as defined below:
I - comprised of low density housing consisting of single- 1 family detached housing units on individual lots; Two-F- - comprised of moderate density housing consisting of 1 structures containing two-family housing units on an individual lot; - comprised of more intense density housing consisting of I structures containing housing units for three or more families on an individual lot; -comprised of low to moderate density housing I consisting of single-family mobile housing units on individual lots; Commercial - includes land sustaining retail, wholesale, service businesses;
1 industrial - comprised of land occupied by businesses involved in the manufacture, I processing, storage, or distribution of durable and/or non-durable goods; Publlc/Seml-Public - includes uses such as municipal buildings, churches, schools, fire I companies, cemeteries, recreational facilities, and other similar civic uses; - comprised of land devoted to streets, sidewalks, alleys, and I associated public rights-of-way; Wooded - includes land which is covered by deciduous and/or evergreen vegetation, I timberland, and adjacent surface waters; Vacant - includes land not defined to be in or associated with any active land use; and
I Water - includes areas covered by water classified as rivers, streams, canals, lakes, and I ponds. Existing Land Use Characteristics
I Residential Of all the land uses present in the community, residential is of most concern to the average citizen. Residential areas are where people spend most of their time and have their greatest I investment - their homes and property. The proper development, preservation, and upgrading of these areas should be of the utmost concern to all members of the community. In classifying the residential areas within Boswell Borough, four categories have been chosen: single-family residential, two- 1 family residential, multi-family residential, and special residential mobile homes.
The Borough contains 267 acres of developed land, which is 56% of the gross total (474 acres). I Residential is the largest single land use in Boswell, occupying nearly 50% of developed areas and over 27% of the gross area of the Borough. I Over 90 of the 267 developed acres in the Borough are dedicated to single family residential housing. Making up 34% of developed land, this category is the largest component of residential housing and 1 the largest single developed land use in Boswell. This statistic is not surprising. Single family residential housing is always the dominant housing type. The 294 single detached units occupy .34 acres each on average. Duplexes, apartment complexes, and mobile homes are more dense areas of I settlement with less land per square foot of living space. However, the housing analysis suggests that only 43.9% of the housing stock is single family detached, yet they occupy over one-third of the I developed land. This means the 32% of all housing units contained in two and multi-family housing, which makes up only 15% of developed land, are probably extremely dense living arrangements. The 234 two or multi-family structures occupy 39 acres or .17 acres each on average. Much of the multi- 1 family housing is densely settled by the Boswell Housing Authority in two complexes; Boswell Heights and Kircher Place. These occupy over half of all multi-family units in the Borough and 18% I of the total housing stock. Commercial The portions of the Borough devoted to commercial activity are classified as commercial: including neighborhood commercial and central business. The neighborhood I commercial district includes commercial activities that provide necessary services for the daily operation of the household. They include such establishments as delicatessen stores, barber shops, beauty parlors, local grocery stores, and local drug stores. The central business district includes I commercial activities of a more intensive nature. This type of activity includes retail stores, offices, banks, hardware stores, gasoline stations, garages, restaurants, and hotels. Some highway commercial I is also present on the periphery of the borough. This classification is also included as part of the overall commercial classification.
I Commercial land is one of the smallest portions of the Borough, occupying only 10 acres, which is 4% of the developed area and 2% of the gross area. Other than abandoned railroad lands, this is the smallest land use. Much of this can be attributed to the abandoned or unused buildings within the I downtown area. It is important for Boswell to concentrate on retaining current businesses and to attract additional businesses to reuse existing infrastructure within the Central Business District I (CBD). Industrial A single industrial category is recognized in the Borough. Included in the industrial category are industrial operations which involve the fabrication, assembly, storage or packaging of I a product. This type of industrial operation usually does not present any serious discomforts to the neighboring properties in the form of noise, smoke, odor, and traffic congestion.
1 Industrial land uses in the Borough occupy 23 acres, or 6.1% of the total developed land and 5% of I the gross area. Much of the acreage is located in the southern portion of the Borough. PublidSemi-Public Areas designated as public are lands owned or developed by public funds and are usually operated as part of governmental function. Activities that are included in this category I include city halls, fire houses, post offices, libraries, museums, schools, parks and playgrounds. Most of the 26 acres in the Borough are owned and operated by the North Star School District. North Star Central Elementary and North Star High Schools are both located within Borough limits. Also, the 1 football stadium is located near the high school. Other uses included municipal buildings, the post office and several parks. The town does not have any libraries or museums. I Areas classified as semi-public are lands developed by a limited group of people for their own use with limited public control and accessibility. Such uses include churches, private schools, I cemeteries, lodge halls, and fraternal organizations. Such organizations, mostly churches, occupy the majority of semi-public lands. Boswell contains six churches within the Borough limits, slightly less I than one for every 250 persons in the Borough. Streets & AZZeys Areas classified in this category include the areas of the rights-of-way of all the I dedicated streets and alleys of the Borough. In the early part of the century, Boswell peaked in population at over 2,100 persons. Currently at only 1,485 persons, with many vacant buildings and a loss of housing units and commercial activity, the Borough is dedicating too much space to streets and alleys. Over 27%, or 73 acres, of the Borough, the largest land use other than residential housing, is dedicated to this category. In the future, land use principals should be used that minimize the construction of new roads. The maintenance of such a large percentage of the Borough as roads is expensive and a great portion of the budget and should be reduced.
Vacant Land Land classified as vacant is not being presently utilized for any of the above activities including non-agricultural fields and vacant lots. This land is yet to be developed and provides an opportunity for future growth and development. Over 55 acres of land in the Borough, 12% of the gross area, is considered vacant. The Borough, as mentioned, needs to concentrate on in-fill development as much of the vacant land is located downtown in the commercial areas.
Wooded Land Areas classified as wooded are predominantly forest covered with no type of manmade development. Wooded land in Boswell occupies the largest single gross land area at 152 acres or 32%. Of these acres, an estimated 75%, or 114 acres, is developable after subtracting the lands imbedded in wetlands, steep slopes, hydric soils, and floodplains.
Warm Areas classified as water include rivers, streams, canals, lakes, and ponds. Boswell does not have any lands dedicated to these uses.
Development Opportunities and Constraints
The purpose of analyzing the existing land uses in the borough is to develop a sense of the best possible uses of remaining undeveloped land. In order to gain a better understanding of what lands are still available for development, Map # 14, Development Opportunities and Constraints, combines all currently developed land, steep slope areas, floodplains, and wetlands into one map. This map shows in white the areas left which are undeveloped and not constrained by environmental factors for future use.
I TABLE F-1
~ ~- Agriculture Vacant 55 12% Wooded I52 32% Water TOTAL DEVELOPED AREA 207 44%
GROSS AREA 474 100 O/O
Land Use Summary
Having inventoried, classified, recorded, and mapped the existing land use of the Borough, a statistical summary can now be made. The above table presents this summary for the existing land use patterns of Boswell Borough.
A number of significant conclusions can be drawn from a comparison of the contents of the above table with nationwide averages of communities similar in size and type to Boswell Borough. These conclusions are:
8 Boswell Borough has a larger percentage of its total developed area devoted to residential use than other communities of similar size and type, with a much larger percentage going to two and multi-family housing.
8 Boswell Borough has a lower percentage of its total developed area devoted to commercial use than communities of similar size and type. This fact offers the explanation for numerous vacant commercial establishments existing throughout the Borough. In the future, the Borough should attempt to encourage reuse of its vacant buildings located in the CBD for commercial uses.
Boswell Borough has a similar percentage of its total developed area devoted to industrial use than communities of similar size and type. However, slightly more land could be devoted to and developed for industrial development. Boswell Borough has a lower percentage of its total developed area devoted to public and semi-public uses than communities of similar type and size.
Boswell Borough has a slightly greater percentage of its total developed area devoted to streets and alleys than is ideal. In future development, alleys should be reduced and only the minimum number of streets necessary to serve the adjacent properties should be constructed. In this manner, more land is available for other development uses and construction and maintenance costs for unneeded streets are eliminated. The cluster design concept should be explored for new developments which has the advantage of reducing the percentage of land devoted to streets plus providing other efficiencies in the development of open lands and acreage. a Approximately 207 acres, or 44%, of Boswell Borough’s gross area is vacant and undeveloped wooded lands. Although approximately 25% of this land cannot be developed because of steep slopes, floodplains, wet lands, and other environmental constraints, approximately 114 acres are developable, one-quarter of all land in the Borough. This presents the Borough with an excellent opportunity to develop the remainder of the Borough utilizing sound land planning principals. Section G:
Transportation Analysis 1 TRANSPORTATION ANALYSIS An examination of the transportation network of Boswell Borough forms the basis for ensuring an I efficient movement of goods, people and services throughout the Borough. Transportation is the framework on which a community bases many of its decisions regarding land use and zoning. This part of the background studies will review street classifications, traffic volumes, existing I transportation systems, and other related information such as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (Penn D0T)Twelve Year Plan.
I Classification of Streets
There are 3.92 miles of State maintained streets in Boswell Borough according to figures generated I by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn DOT) and the Borough for 1996. These streets vary in cartway, len,gh, surface type? and the type of service provided. The typical categories of roadway service types are defined by the United States Department of Transportation and described I below: I Arterial, major Major arterial roads handle high volumes of traffic generally traveling long I distances. Local and interstate highways, including The Turnpike 76 and State Route 219 are considered to be major arterial’s. These roads usually have at least four lanes of traffic in both I directions and have limited access. Arterial, minor Minor arterial’s are streets with signals at important intersections and stop signs 1 on side streets. These streets collect and distribute traffic to and from collector streets. Collectors Collectors are streets that collect traffic from local streets and connect with major and 1 minor arterial’s. Local stred A local street provides vehicular access to abutting properties and discourages through traffic. This class of street carries traffic to and from collectors and serves adjacent land use; it I contains loop streets, residential streets, cul-de-sacs, alleys and parking connectors. 1 Cul-de-sac street A cul-de-sac is a street with a single common ingress and egress and a turn around at the end. I Dead end street A dead end street has a single common ingress and egress. Service street A service street runs parallel to a freeway or expressway and serves abutting 1 properties.
Dual street A dual street has opposing lanes separated by a median strip, center island, or other I form of barrier, and can be crossed only at designated locations. I Expressway An expressway is a divided multi-lane major arterial street for through traffic, with 1 partial control of access and with grade separations at major intersections. I Freeway A freeway is a limited access highway with no at-grade crossings Paper street A paper street is one that has never been built, but is shown on an approved plan, I subdivision plat, tax map, or official map. Public Road means any road under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority and 1 open to public travel.
I Rural Area means all areas of a State not included in the boundaries of cities, boroughs or other urban areas.
1 Rural Major Arterial Routes means those public roads that are functionally classified as a part of the rural principal arterial system of the rural major arterial system as described in Volume 20, Appendix 12, Highway Planning Program Manual. Serve corridor movements having trip length and I travel density characteristics indicative of substantial statewide or interstate travel. Serve all, or virtually all urban areas of 50,000 and over population and a large majority of those with population I of 25,000 and over. Rural Minor ArteriaZ Routes means those public roads that are functionally classified as a part of the rural principal arterial system of the rural minor arterial system as described in Volume 20, Appendix 12, Highway Planning Program Manual. Links cities and larger towns and form an integrated network providing interstate and inter-county service. They are to be spaced at such intervals, consistent with population density, so that all developed areas of the State are within a reasonable distance of an arterial highway. Provide service to corridors with trip lengths and travel density greater than those predominantly served by rural collector or local systems. Minor arterials therefore constitute routes whose design should be expected to provide for relatively high overall travel speeds, with a minimum interference to through traffic.
Rurd Major Collector Routes means those public roads that are functionally classified as a part of the major collector subclassification of the rural collector system as described in Volume 30: Appendix 12, Highway Planning Program Manual. Provide service to any county seat not on an arterial route, to the larger towns not directly served by the higher systems, and to other consolidated schools, shipping points, county parks, important mining and agricultural areas, etc.
Rural Minor Collector Routes means those public roads that are functionally classified as a part of the minor collector subclassification of the rural collector system as described in Volume 20, Appendix 12, Highway Planning Program Manual. They are to be spaced at such intervals, consistent with population density, to collect traffic and bring all developed areas within a reasonable distance of a collector highway.
Rural Local Road serves primarily to provide access to adjacent land. Provide service to travel over relatively short distances as compared to collectors and other highway systems. I Urban Classifications
1 Urban Principal Arterial Routes means those public roads that are functionally classified as a part of the urban principal arterial system as described in Volume 20, Appendix 12, Highway Planning Program Manual. The principal arterial system should carry the major portion of trips entering and I leaving the urban area, as well as the majority of through movements desiring to bypass the central city. In addition, significant inter-area travel, such as between central business districts and outlying 1 residential areas, between major inner city communities, or between major suburban centers should be served by this system. Frequently the principal arterial system will carry important intra urban as well as intercity routes. Finally, this system in small urban and urbanized areas should provide I continuity for all rural arterials which intercept the urban boundary.
Urban Minor Arterial Routes means those public roads that are functionally classified as a part I of the urban minor arterial system as described in Volume 20, Appendix 12, Highway Planning Program Manual. The minor arterial street system should interconnect with and augment the urban principal arterial system and provide service to trips of moderate length at a somewhat lower level I of travel mobility than principal arterials. This system also distributes travel to geographic areas I smaller than those identified with the higher system. Urban Collector Routes means those public roads that are functionally classified as a part of the urban collector system as described in Volume 20, Appendix 12, Highway Planning Program Manual. I The collector street system provides both land access service and traffic circulation within residential neighborhoods, commercial, and industrial areas. It differs from the arterial system in that facilities on the collector system may penetrate residential neighborhoods, distributing trips from the arterials I through the area to the ultimate destination. Conversely, the collector street also collects traffic from local streets in residential neighborhoods and channels it into the arterial system. In the central business district, and in other areas of like development and traffic density, the collector system may I include the street grid which forms a logical entity for traffic circulation.
Urban Local Streets The local street system comprises all facilities not on one of the higher I systems. It serves primarily to provide direct access to abutting land and access to the higher order systems. It offers the lowest level of mobility and usually contains no bus routes. Service to through 1 traffic movement usually is deliberately discouraged. Establishing a list of highways which serve as the essential economic transit routes for Pennsylvania I was the focus of the Priority Commercial Network (PCN). PCN highways are those which carry 500 or more trucks per day and link centers of economic activity. I The Core Highway System was developed in 1989 by the Penn DOT Office of Planning. This highway network includes those major transportation routes which are vital to the economic growth of the state. As the main connector between the City of Erie and the City of Pittsburgh, Interstate 79 1 links two of the major commercial and industrial centers within Pennsylvania. Consequently, this route was included in the 4,000 mile Core Highway System. 1 I
1 1-LJ, 5 I The Penn DOT hrther classifies the highway network in the following categories based on a largely I economic role. Priority Commercial Network (PCW This category was first identified in 1982 to designate highways which carry high volumes of trucks and other vehicles that are vital to Pennsylvania’s I economy. Agri-Access Network(AAN) This category was first identified in 1984 to identify highways which 1 serve rural agricultural communities and agri-business areas.
Inrlustrial-Commercinl Access Network (I-Can) This category was first identified in 1986 to I designate highways serving the industrial and commercial areas of Pennsylvania’s economy.
Dual I-Can and AAN This category was designed to indicate highways serving both I industrial/commercial and agriculturaVagri-businesssectors.
I Traffic Volumes I Traffic volumes are produced for all State maintained roads beginning in 1975 by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (Penn DOT). Annually the Department updates estimates of traffic volume compared to a base year when original traffic counts were taken. Currently available are 1 estimates of traffic volumes for all roads for 1996. It is important to note that many smaller State maintained roads have never had an actual count taken. In the table below, if the base year of an ADT count is listed as 1975 it is quite possible that the original count was only an estimate based on I formulas concerning population, major feeder roads, etc. Therefore, the estimates, also based on growth formulas, provide very similar projections of a 29 to 33% increase in traffic. Nevertheless, the estimates are still useful to mention because Penn DOT uses them to assist in decisions concerning upgrading and maintaining the road surfaces.
Boswell Borough is a small town based in a rural area which does not produce a lot of traffic. The major highway in the immediate area is US Interstate Route 76, the Turnpike, which is the only highway in Somerset County to be consistently at or above 20,000 average trips per day. Therefore, highways in the vicinity of Boswell Borough which have Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts serving over 20,000 vehicle trips each day do not exist. The other major highway in the vicinity is State Route 219, the major access road north and south between Johnstown and Boswell Borough. It I averages ADT counts well below the turnpike around 8,000 to 9,000 trips per day. The major connector highway between 219 and Boswell Borough none of which is State Route 30 which averages slightly less than 5,000 trips per day. US Route 30 traffic volumes for the intersection at Route 601 into Boswell has been estimated to have increased by over 7% since 1990, or better than 600 trip per day.
Overall there are four State maintained roads in the Borough, State Routes; 601, 4010, 4023, and 4025. The most significant and longest State road classified as a major collector is SR 601 with traffic counts between 2,700 and 3,300 trips per day. This road is an important local link for the Borough connecting it with Jerome and Davidsville borough’s to the north and Route 30, Ferrellton,
- I-CT, 4 I and Jenners borough's to the South. One major section from Route 30 to Boswell had an ADT count taken in 1985 and the section running through the Borough was not taken until 1995. Therefore, the ADT estimates for 1996 do not show an increase in traffic within the Borough because the count was too recent. However, the ADT count from Route 30 has been estimated to have increased by almost I 30 percent since 1985. It is logical to assume that the traffic within the Borough most likely increased at a very similar rate during that same time period.
I The next most significant is State Route 4025, known locally as Main Street, and is classified as a minor arterial. Base year population estimates vary considerably between two segments. Segment 90 base year count was taken in 1995 and is primarily located in Jenner Township with a .538 mile I stretch connecting the town to Jenner Township. The count for this segment was slightly greater than 1,600 trips per day. The count for this road in Boswell Borough was much greater estimated in 1975 to be over 3,708 trips per day and with the estimate formula for 1996 traffic volume the trips per day I have grown by over 32 per cent to almost 5,000. The remaining State roads, Routes 4010 and 4023, serve local traffic with 4010 averaging below 500 trips and 403 between 800 and 1,000 trips per day. Both were estimated in the base so the current estimate for 1996 shows similar growth at almost 33 I percent. Locally it is very unlikely that any other roads not maintained by the State have had any traffic studies completed. It must be assumed that the other roads in the Borough do not have higher 1 than 100 trips per day and serve local functions only such as shopping , school traffic, and local residences. The conclusion for the Borough on local roads not State maintained must be taken from I the Land Use section which highlights the very high amount of land dedicated to streets and alleys. Below, Table G-1 lists all roads in Boswell Borough which are maintained by Penn DOT. Traffic counts for various segments are from estimated data produced by Penn DOT for 1996. The segments I were chosen to represent the road areas with in the Borough limits. I TABLE G-1 AVERAGE I AILY TW State Maintai led Roads in I Street Name IRoute ISegment Year of Base Year 1996 Percent ADT Count ADT Count Estimated ADT Change from Base I Year 'A Route 601 1995- 3.291- 3.29 1- 0.00% 300-3 10 1985 2,744 3,553 29.48% I iS Route 30 199u 4,373 4.687 7.18% kin Street 90 1995- 1,674- 1,674- 0% I 40251 1975* 3,708 4,919 32.68% I 4010 10 1975* 309 410 32.68% 4023 90 1975* 824 1,093 32.64% Estimates for bass war ADT count. i iource: Pennsylvania Department of Transport: ion. 1997 I I
Existing Transportation Network
I This section examines the major State maintained roads in the Borough of Boswell in further detail. Also included is an examination of other means of transportation such as rail, trails, and pedestrian I circulation. Usually examined in this section would be mass transit and air services, however, neither exist in the Borough.
I Highways Boswell Borough has 3.92 miles of State roads in the Borough. The largest, busiest and most locally significant road is State Route 60 1. It was first constructed in 1928 and was resurfaced in 1985. The truck traffic on the road is low averaging only 5 percent of traffic. The road is in fair I to good condition but will need resurfacing in the next 10 to 15 years. The next oldest road and second busiest is State Route 4023 which was constructed in the mid 1950’s and is the most recently resurfaced road in the Borough completed in 1995. The truck traffic is below 10% and the road I should remain in good condition for the next 7 to 10 years. State Route 4023 is a busy local road and the third oldest in Boswell constructed in 1936. The last resurfacing was completed in 1953. The road is in fair to poor condition and is in need of repairs. State Route 4010 serves local traffic and I was constructed in 1958, the newest of all Sate roads in Boswell. The road is also in fair to poor I condition with no resurfacing ever completed. Boswell’s budget is greatly consumed by road repairs and maintenance. The Borough’s population has steadily declined since 1930 when it peaked at over 2,100 persons. The Department of I Environmental Resources population projection (presented in the Population Section of the Background Studies) projects continuing decline over the next 30 to 40 years. The local roads system is too large for the current and future populations and with the decline in revenues which follows I declines in population, the Borough will not be able to afford to maintain the system adequately. I TABLE G-2 I
I I
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Transaortation. 1997
I ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~
Pedestrian Circulation The majority of the downtown area is well served by sidewalks and the low I traffic in the Borough allows for pedestrian circulation. In 1900 the Boswell Improvement Company, a subsidiary of the Merchants Coal Company, surveyed and laid out 1,600 lots in a grid pattern on I a one square mile parcel of land. Each lot measured 50 feet by 120 feet. On these lots, the company
I-CT, I erected numerous miners’ houses, managers’ houses, a company store (at the comer of Morris Avenue and Stony Creek Street), an office (at 404 Morris Avenue), and a bank (at 412 Morris Avenue). I Streets were 36 feet wide; sidewalks were twelve feet wide. Twenty foot wide fire alleys were located between blocks.
I Influenced by the industrial welfare movement, which demanded that mine operators improve both living and working conditions for employees, the Boswell company focused on improving the I appearance of the workers’ houses and the character of streets and sidewalks, as a means for improving the living conditions of its employees. On the outskirts of town in the residential areas not I all are served by side walks. Trails Boswell has access to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail which winds over 70 miles from Johnstown to Ohiopyle State Park and is connected through a series of park properties known as I Laurel Ridge. The Highlands Trail attracts many recreationalists- from the serious hiker to the Saturday afternoon pleasure walker. For the long-distance hiker, camping shelters are provided every 8-10 miles along the Trail. Snowfall creates nearly 70 miles of snowmobile trails and 35 miles of I what are reputed to be some of the finest cross-country trails in the East.
Air Air travel for Boswell Borough residents is most closely served by the Somerset County I airport. I Rail There is no rail service available in the borough.
I Penn DOT’s Twelve Year Plan The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Twelve Year Program is a comprehensive approach I to the maintenance and repair of the state’s transportation network. The current program focuses on bridges and highways and is scheduled for completion between 1997 and 2008. Projects are categorized by four year phases with high priority projects scheduled in the first four year segment. I Penn DOT’s District 9 Office, located at 1620 Juniata Street, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648, (8 14)696- 7103, serves all of the Southern Alleghenies Region including Boswell Borough. Table G-2 is a listing of adopted projects in Boswell Borough and Jenner Township under the jurisdiction of the I Penn DOT District 9 Office: I TABLE G-2 D I I I Activity in this region is very low. In the next 3-5 years road repairs to local State Routes such as I 4010 and 4023 should be brought to the State’s attention.
Findings
The Borough has access to major highways such as Interstate 76/70, Route 219 and more I locally Route 30. I State Route 601 is the most important local highway and is in good condition. The local street network was designed for a much larger population and is burdening the Borough to maintain them with declining revenues resulting from consistent losses in 1 population.
I . The town was designed in a time period when wide roads and pedestrian circulation was important and as a result both are very adequate. I
I .. I I I I 1 I I 1 1 I I I I I I I I. Section H:
I Housing Analysis I 'I 1 ~I I I I HO.USING ANALYSIS This section of the background studies reviews and analyzes the housing stock in the Borough of I Boswell. Field survey information is augmented by demographic and housing data from the 1990 Census and with locally generated information from the Borough. The integration and synthesis of this information provides a profile of the condition and character of the housing stock. Included in I the analysis are variables such as total housing units and change from 1980- 1990, type of housing and housing size, housing conditions, age of homeowner and age of housing units by tenure, housing I values, and contract rents. Boswell Borough, northern Somerset County, is located in Jenner Township approximately 19 miles south by southwest of the City of Johnstown and 10 miles north of Somerset Borough. It is I influenced by the economies of the County, neighboring Township, nearby Boroughs such as Jennerstown, Stoystown, and Somerset. Therefore, for purposes of this analysis, the Borough is I compared to the Commonwealth, Somerset County, Jenner and Quemahoning Townships, and the aforementioned Boroughs which surround it. Boswell is surrounded by Conemaugh, Quemahoning, and Lincoln Townships all of which are part of Somerset County. Conemaugh and Lincoln I Townships will not be part of the study area since they do not contain a population center such as a borough or city; therefore it wad decided that they would not contain relevant data to the study. The three aforementioned Boroughs share the region with Boswell and will share similar physical, social, Isand economic trends; therefore, the “study area” will include the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Somerset County, Jenner Township including the Borough of Jennerstown, Quemahoning Township and its Borough of Stoystown, Somerset Borough and the City of Johnstown. The City of Johnstown I was added because of its close proximity to Boswell and as the major economic and population center in the region. Despite its relatively large size its will show if trends established by Boswell are I comparable to a large urban area.
I Total Units and Change, 1980-1990 In 1990, Boswell Borough had 670 total housing units. Of those units 612 were occupied and 58 were I vacant resulting in a 91.3% occupancy rate. Boswell is comparable to Pennsylvania with a 91.5% occupancy. The rest of the study area remains comparable as all municipalities maintain at least a 89% occupancy rate. On the other hand, Somerset County has an exceptionally high amount of I vacant housing units as 17.2% of the housing stock remains unoccupied. Fortunately for the Borough the County’s housing problems did not extent into its municipal boundaries.
I Since 1980 the housing stock in the Borough has decreased by 9 units from 679 to 670, less than one percent. The occupancy rate has remained very stable. As mentioned, in 1990 occupancy was 91.3%. In 1980 the occupancy was 91.7%. Jenner Township’s housing stock also decreased by slightly I greater than one percent since 1980 losing 117 units. Likewise, occupancy rates have remained very stable at 89.3%. For further details see Table H-1.
I It should be noted that the Borough has documented an omission of housing units from the 1990 Census resulting in unit numbers lower than would be anticipated. However, since the census did not I recognize the updated corrections we must make conclusions based on acceptable data and remain cautious in using such data based conclusions.
1-H, I I Additionally the Somerset County Housing Authority (SCHA) reports two public housing complexes I located in the Borough; Boswell Heights and Kircher Place. Boswell Heights contains 71 units and Kircher Place 50 units for a total of 121 units of public housing. The public housing complexes represent slightly more than 18% of the housing stock in Boswell. Each of the buildings is fully I occupied with only one vacancy per building reported by the SCHA ,in October of 1996 creating a 98 to 99% occupancy rate. Kircher Place was constructed in 1962 and the average rents paid are $155.00 dollars per month. The building contains 1’2’3 and 4 bedroom apartments; 8 one bedroom, I 18 two bedroom, 18 three bedroom, and 6 four bedroom units. Boswell Heights was constructed in 1982 with an average rent per unit of $89.00 dollars per month. The building also contains 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom apartments with 13 one bedroom, 40 two bedroom, 11 three bedroom, and 2 four bedroom I units. Boswell Heights has a great deal to do with the Borough only losing 9 units, less than one percent, since the 1980 Census. It can be estimated that without these additional units the Borough’s I loss of housing units would be well over 10%. I Types of Housing As mentioned, Boswell’s occupied units in 1990 were 612. Of those units an extremely low 48.7% I were owner-occupied and a very high 42.7% were renter-occupied. Pennsylvania’s distribution is much more evenly distributed than that of the Borough at 64.3% owner-occupied and 26.7% renter- occupied. In comparison only Johnstown City and Somerset Borough had a lower level of owner- I. occupied housing at 40.7 and 45.5% of their total housing units. Somerset County represents the next lowest in owner-occupancy percentage, but well above Boswell and Johnstown at nearly 64%. All other municipalities remained at 64% owner-occupied and above. Jenner Township reflects more 1 healthy ownership patterns as almost three-quarters of the units are owner-occupied. As mentioned the public housing units representing almost one-fifth of the total units greatly increases the renter- I occupied percentages. See Figure H-1 for a graphic explanation. Unfortunately for a small Borough such as Boswell, a large percent of renter-occupied housing means greater general deterioration of housing stock. Renters clearly do not maintain their properties as well I as home owners. Landlords often have less incentive, need, or desire to upkeep their properties to the same degree as a homeowner. Absentee landlords are often the result of deteriorating housing I stock that becomes attractive for reuse as rental units. In many cases, absentee landlords have used little discretion when selecting tenants and maintaining their properties. However, deterioration of housing stock can come in other packages. As will be reviewed in the population analysis, Boswell’s I population is much older than most areas. Many of these elderly own homes in the Borough. As they become older they are physically less able to maintain their homes. This aspect of the Borough’s home ownership patterns will be examined in the “Age of Homeowner and Age by Tenure” section i a few paragraphs later.
Types of housing not only involve the physical occupancy of the building, but also the physical 1 structure itself. Taken from the categories of the 1990 US Census of Population and Housing, the most common for a residential unit is the single-family detached unit pictured as the typical house separated from other units by a private yard placed on a single parcel of land. The second most I common category in the Commonwealth is the single attached unit. However, the second largest 1 1
Renter10wner-Occupied Housing, 1990 category for most of the study I Boswell Borough and Surrounding Region area is the mobile home. Other types of units include 100 duplexes and structures which I 90 contain 3,4,5 or up to 9 80 apartments. A specific c 70 P category is made for S 60 I & buildings with 10 to 19 units 50 c and again for structures with 240s 20 to 49 and 50 or more units I $ 30 P in structure. The categories 20 are rounded out by a catch all 1 10 “other” category which 0 insylvania makes up only 1 to 2% for F Itl Somerset County Jennerstown Bor. SomersetBorough any of the municipalities. JennerTownship Qhemahoning Township Johnstown City 1 See Table H-2 for details. I Owner-Occupie Among the study area large I Figure H-1 variations are found in these categories. Pennsylvania has
much greater- housing- I diversity than most municipalities in the study area. Just over half of all housing in Pennsylvania is single-family detached unit. Nearly 20 percent more of the housing is a single attached unit. Next, duplexes and mobile homes make up about 5% each. Finally, the larger the number of units in a I structure the less percentage of the total housing those structures occupy. Logically this makes sense as one could expect less large apartment or condominium type structures than smaller 3 or 4 unit I apartment buildings and duplexes. Boswell’s housing stock is very diverse for a small municipality. Typically, small towns contain a very large percentage of single detached housing units. Often this type of housing, seen as the typical I single family home, makes up 70 to 80% or more of the total types of housing units. For example, Jenner Township, Jennerstown Borough, Quemahoning Township, and Stoystown Borough all 1 contain over 72% of their housing as a single detached unit. Likewise, Somerset County, although slightly lower than these aforementioned areas, still maintains over 68% of their housing in this category. Also typical of small Boroughs are a higher percentage of mobile homes when compared 1 to the Commonwealth with Townships exceeding the totals of Boroughs. For example, Somerset County, Stoystown Borough and Jenner Township are both over 13% while Quemahoning Township tops 21%. The description of housing types for most of these municipalities can be summarized as I either single family or mobiles homes typically explaining over 93% of the stock. On the other hand, Boswell’s housing types are very diverse. First, only 43.9% of the stock is single family detached units and only 6.7% are mobile homes. These two categories only make up slightly greater than 50% I of the housing types. As was mentioned earlier, Boswell Borough claims a large omission of an area occurred on the Census data collection process which eliminated an area containing many single family homes. Also, a large public subsidized housing complex is located in the Borough limits. I Because of these two factors duplexes to units with 5 to 9 in the structure amass over 32% of the housing types. However, the census omission does not dilute the fact that Boswell’s housing stock I remains extremely diverse for a small municipality and typical more of a large urban area whose housing stock has declined in value and become attractive for renter-occupancy (reference Johnstown
I-H,3
I The age of homeowners provides a glimpse of the type of citizens who are able to purchase housing and those who have previously purchased housing. Combined with the age of individual structures a general picture of the community’s housing stock can be generated. As indicated in Figure H-2, the Borough homeowners’ ages average much higher than the Commonwealth and Somerset County. 1 Typically, according to Pennsylvania percentages, the largest homeowner category would be the persons ages 35 to 44. Across the Commonwealth the three cohorts between the ages of 45 and 74 contain about 17% of the ownership each. The 35 to 44 cohort makes up 21.6%. The homeowners over 75 is typically the smallest category making up less than 11% of the homeowners’ population.
Boswell Borough’s largest cohort of home ownership is the cohort of 65 to 75 years of age. I Combined with the large 18.1% of homeowners 75 years of age or greater, almost 47% of all housing ownership in the Borough is by an elderly person. In fact, other than Johnstown City, Boswell has the lowest percentage of young families owning homes between the ages of 25 to 34 years of age. I As was mentioned earlier, in addition to the deterioration of housing stock from renter-occupied housing, often the result of a large amount of elderly homeowners is similar deterioration. It is flattering for a community to be very livable and have a large percentage of people who choose to live m out their lives in the Borough. However, the elderly are often physically unable to care for their homes and many are on fixed incomes making some physical improvements a financial burden. I Often it is up to the children in the area to maintain the physical condition of the housing for the elderly. It is a catch 22 to provide a comfortable living arrangement for the elderly in their homes and maintain a high quality of housing stock. Often these units become attractive for rental units as m *’ their value decreases. The goal of a community in this situation is to provide adequate elderly type housing within the community so the housing can be returned to younger home buyers who invest I and improve the properties. I Age by Tenure Housing by the year constructed provides a very interesting profile of the housing stock of a community. The categories are also divided into cohorts of one decade with several time periods lumped together. The first category is built pre 1939. The second category is 1940 to 1949 and then in ten year cohorts until 1980. In 1980 the census began to divide the information into four and five I year cohorts so housing built from 1980 to 1984 is separate from units constructed from 1985- 1988. The final category is the units built in the 1989-1990 calendar. Details are provided in Table H-4. m The year of housing unit construction is one of the most interesting facts to reconstruct a mental and physical image of the community’s housing stock. For example, a municipality with most of its housing built prior to 1939 indicates a historical downtown or housing area with similar architectural I styles, lot sizes, and infrastructure. On the other hand, a municipality with most of its housing built during the 1970’s shows suburbanization with larger housing, modem in design, on larger lots in a more rural setting.
I dollars and Kircher Place of $155.00 dollars. I Findings Boswell’s housing stock can be characterized as follows:
‘I Decreasing in number since just slightly 1980.
Occupancy rates have held steady since 1980 and are nearly identical to the Commonwealth ‘I at 91.3%.
Owner-occupancy remains extremely low for the Borough, well below the Commonwealth I and all areas in the study except Johnstown City and Somerset Borough.
Housing diversity is extremely high for a small town containing less than half of its housing I in single detached and mobile homes while having over 30% rental units of 2 to 9 units in a I building. Boswell Heights and Kircher Place, two public housing complexes, represent 18.1% of the I total housing stock in Boswell Borough. Household sizes are generally average with the Commonwealth and are comprised of one, I two, and three persons per household. Boswell’s housing conditions are the oldest and the lesser valued of the region, many of which require constant maintenance, but can generally be considered to be moderate to fair. I The Borough’s age of homeowners is much older than the rest of the region and far older than the Commonwealth.
I A great deal of the housing was built prior to 1949, almost 60%.
Housing values are extremely low in Boswell Borough compared to the Commonwealth and I lower than Somerset County, but comparable to Jenner Township. I Median contract rents are low compared to Pennsylvania, and still so for the region. I I I 1
I-H, 8 Tilbl~11-1
NAhIE
CENEH,\l.: lotal 4938140 10011 35713 1000 1720 1000 670 1000 169 1000 878 IW 0 I74 1000 3100 100.0 14667 100.0 . Occupied 4495966 91 0 29574 82 8 1516 89.3 612 91 3 ?41 901 81 I 92 4 I56 89.7 2861 92.3 12536 85.5 Vacant 442174 90 6139 11 2 I84 107 58 8.7 2b ') 7 67 76 18 IO 3 239 7.7 2131 14.5 OCCUPIED UNITS: Owner -Occupied 1176121 6-3 22881 64 I 1271 7io 326 487 204 75 8 69 I 78 7 Ill 63 8 I409 45.5 5984 408 Renter -Occupied 1310845 267 6093 18 7 205 IS 4 280 411 30 I45 I20 13.7 45 25 9 1452 46 8 6552 44.7 vAc.wr UNITS: Vac For Rent 102774 212 59 I Ob I8 98 27 466 4 I5 4 5 75 2 11.1 I53 64.0 1003 47 I Vac For Sale 48761 II 0 365 41 17 92 6 10.3 I 38 9 I14 2 11.1 I4 59 158 74 Rented or sold not occupied 41747 99 595 97 in 9.8 I 17 I5 57 7 I5 22 4 I2 66 7 16 6.7 462 21 7 Seasonal or Occasional use 144159 126 in12 62 I 78 424 1 17 6 23 I 16 23 9 0 00 10 12.6 9 04 Other vacant 102531 232 876 14 3 SJ ?an 21 3') 7 0 00 22 32 8 2 11.1 26 10 9 499 234 ACE OF IIOLIEOWNER: I5 10 24 years Owner -Occupied 18312 1.2 329 I4 10 1.3 1 09 3 I5 I? 17 0 00 II 0.8 16 06 25 to 14 yearb Owner -Occupied 454725 I41 3142 I3 7 104 129 28 86 21 II 1 108 I5 6 10 90 141 10.0 444 74 15 to 44 )'ears Owner -Occupied 685952 21 6 4706 20 b 280 220 44 135 44 21 b I63 21 6 16 14.4 30 I 21.4 886 I4X 45 IO 54 years Owner -Occupied 543801 17 I 1572 15.6 100 15.7 40 I?1 27 11 2 117 169 17 I5 3 200 I4 2 777 130 55 to 64 years Owner -Occupied 561214 17.7 1966 I7 3 203 16 0 bo I84 11 I5 2 ll5 I6 6 25 22 5 245 I74 1175 196 65 10 74 years Owner -Occupied 550199 17.3 4328 189 261 20.5 92 2x2 40 196 IW 14.5 19 17 I 288 20.4 1586 265 75 years and over Owner -0ccupid 341718 10.8 2838 I24 148 II 6 59 18 I 36 176 76 11.0 24 21 6 221 IS 8 1080 180 SIZE OF UNIl I room 54056 I I 224 06 7 0.4 5 07 0 00 2 02 0 00 12 I .o 241 I6 2 rooms 118911 2.4 561 16 IS 09 17 25 I 04 6 0.7 4 23 82 26 46-1 32 1rooms lY8919 8.1 I843 52 45 26 41 6.1 II 41 17 19 5 29 402 13.0 1458 99 4 roonts 708781 14.4 6104 17 I 235 117 155 23 I 37 I3 8 134 I5 1 26 14.9 566 183 2914 200 5 rooms 8')M81 180 7908 22 I 418 25.5 180 269 61 22 7 211 26 5 28 16 I 623 20. I 2666 I82 6 rooms 1211468 245 11663 24 3 188 216 153 228 72 26 8 217 24 7 46 26 4 615 20 5 4214 287 7 rooms 695647 I4 I 47411 I3 3 221 I28 51 7.6 43 I60 I14 130 22 12 6 329 10.6 1218 84 8 rooms 4618% 94 3025 85 111 9') 35 5? 27 10 0 85 97 I7 98 219 7. I 797 54 9 or more roonis 1~x9 8.1 2045 14 ?00 II 0 13 49 17 61 70 80 26 1.1 9 ?I? 68 655 45 PERSONS PER UNII': I person I150694 25 6 687 I 23 2 115 205 167 273 69 28 4 143 176 32 20 5 1032 36 I 4717 376 2 perrons I441196 32 I 9714 32 8 502 32 7 205 33.5 76 II 1 244 3 0 I 59 37.8 907 31.7 3785 302 3 persons 789314 176 5440 I8 4 28') I8 8 in7 17.5 51 ?I0 I70 ?I0 30 I92 418 I4 6 1899 I5 I 4 persons 676345 I5 0 4681 I5 8 2b6 171 91 I49 25 10 1 I54 190 27 11 3 329 II 5 1316 IO5 5 person$ 290628 6 5 I983 67 11') 7 7 32 52 20 82 75 CJ 2 7 45 1.3 4.9 521 42 6 persoils 95132 2 I b19 21 13 ? I 8 11 7 08 I3 16 I Ob 27 0.9 209 I7 7 or more persons 52437 I2 266 09 I2 08 2 01 0 00 12 I5 0 00 9 03 89 07
Persons per occupied mil 2.57 ' 2 bli 269 ' 243 * 2 41 2 84 2 49 2 22 2.22 4 = Data no1 Available or Applicable source: I990 US Census of l'opulalioit and Iluu,iiip Table 11-2 Ilousing Ch:ir:icterisitcs, Cont.
NAhlE
PEISONS PER R00hl: I 050 or less I 3215951 715 ?lIl41~ 7111 1070 697 4211 699 I88 77.4 529 652 514 685 2188 765 9166 755 051 IO 100 1197197 266 11431 285 -1.14 ?nv in3 299 54 222 266 32.8 225 30.0 652 228 2920 233 101 to I50 60118 I4 354 I Z 10 I.? I 02 I 04 I4 1.7 II 1.5 19 0.1 130 IO 151 to200 ' 16173 04 37 0 I 3 02 0 00 0 00 ? 0.2 0 00 0 00 17 01 201 or more 5027 0.1 6 0.0 0 00 0 00 0 00 0 0.0 0 00 2 01 3 00 Ibkrl 1hrii.v 44YjYdd IlllJ.l1 2'1514 11JlJ.O l5.h /IJlJ,O 612 11JIl.tJ 243 1111JlJ 811 1lJlJ.U 750 11JOlJ 2861 1U11.11 12536 101111 VACANCY CIIAHACTERISTICS:
Specified vacant for rent 101637 565 + IY 4 27 ' 4' 3' 9' IS2 * 988 * Specified vacmt for sale only 36499 I74 * 10 5' I' 5' 0' 7' 100 * All other vacants 304038 5400 * I56 ' 26 * 21 ' 59 133 80 ' 1043 * Less than 2 monlhs VacForRent 27965 101 ' 4' -,. I' 0' 6' 39 ' 276 777 2 up 10 6 months VacForRent 38961 --- 4' 5' 3' 3' I' 53 * 3BS , * 6 or more months VacFor Rent 35848 268 * IO ' 20 ' 0' 71 6' 61 * 342 Less than 2 months VacForSale 7013 I? ' 4' 0' 0' 00 0' 0' 21 ' 2 up to 6 months VacForSale I5805 73 + ,* 2' 0. 2' I' 6' 37 6 or more months VacForSale 25945 in0 * I1 4' I' 7' 0' 8. 100 * Less lhan 2 months OthVac 49340 277 7' I' ,+ 0' 16 * 18 ' I42 * 2 up to 6 months OlhVac 661 17 991 ' 28 ' 0. 6' 7' 68 * 16 * 128 * 6 or more monllis OlhVac 175180 JOIS * I14 ' 24 I3 * 46 ' 41 ' 38 * 700 ' TYPE OF UNIT: Idetached 263663 I 53.1 24317 68 I 1282 7.1 s 294 439 219 81.4 636 72.4 732 82.1 1565 50.5 6100 41 6 I attached 909676 18.4 2364 6b 73 42 87 130 4 1.5 IS 1.7 8 0.9 68 2.2 2805 19 I 2 Units 279700 5.7 1406 3.9 49 28 95 I42 12 4.5 -_7, 2.5 I4 1.6 409 13.2 1405 96 3 or 4 in Structure 227788 4.6 877 25 16 09 48 72 7 2.6 4 05 2 02 196 95 1262 86 5 to 9 in Structure 1710-(1 35 7.N z I II 06 71 106 0 00 0 00 0 00 239 7 7 I055 72 IO IO I9 in Structure 149419 30 467 I3 I3 08 ?(I 3 0 0 00 0 00 0 0.0 213 69 4ll-" 2.8 20 to 49 Structure 99244 20 98 111 n on o n o 0 00 0 0.0 0 0.0 55 I8 371 25 SO or more in Structure 144428 2.9 172 0.5 0 00 (I 0.0 0 00 0 00 0 00 74 2.4 831 5 7 hlobilr home 254920 5.2 4689 13 I 253 147 45 67 18 67 187 213 127 142 113 36 34 02 Other lype 65293 I .3 583 1.6 23 13 IO 1.5 9 33 I4 I.6 9 1.0 68 22 393 2.7 rimlk ihitpid UJI~IV 4YJYIIU IlJll.ll 35711 /iJ~l.ll 1720 11111.0 670 1OiJ.lJ 269 11111.11 878 /ll~J.ll 892 !UO.(I 3100 IOIJ.0 I4667 11JlJ.lJ HENlS: Lower contracl rent quartile 217 ' 14.1 65') 136 95 I 99 72 8 125 1263 157 125.6 156 994 157 1006 117 745 Median contract rent 322 I96 609 184 939 158 859 I79 1133 197 110.1 206 101.6 218 1058 169 77 5 447 245 548 238 971 21.1 899 250 1168 231 92.4 245 1061 272 1110 221 82.1 * = Data Not Available or Applicable Source: IWO US Census ofhpulation and llousiny Table 11-3 Value of Owner-Occupetl Housing
NAhlE I'ennsylvania Soiiicrset County Jeiiiier'l'owiiship Buswell Borough Jclincrstovn Bnr. Qhemahoiiing Townshi Stoystown Borough SoniersetBorough Johnstown City Numkr Pcrrcnl Number Pcrrcni Nuwkr krccni Nunibr Pcrccnl Nut&r Pcrccnl Nun~kr Pcrcenl Nunikr Percem Nu~ber Pcrccni Nvl~~ber perccll~ Less than $ I5000 Valne 88203 3.4 1015 6.1 71 8.6 18 6.9 2 1.2 27 6.6 3 3.3 13 1.1 913 17.8 S I5000 to $ I9999 66186 2.6 821 5.2 43 5.2 15 5.8 3 I .8 21 5. I I 1.1 13 1.1 690 13.4 $20000 10 $24999 88693 3.4 11x2 7.1 68 8.3 26 10.0 4 2.4 37 9. I 5 5.4 27 2.2 734 14.3 $25000 to $29999 100557 3.9 I306 8.2 90 10.9 22 8.5 II 6.6 27 6.6 7 7.6 30 2.5 713 13.9 $30000 to $34999 I18673 4.6 I400 8.8 82 100 27 10.4 I4 8.4 42 10.3 9 9.8 50 4.1 646 12.6 $35000 to $39999 117128 4.6 1313 8.3 80 9.7 33 12.7 13 7.8 35 8.6 7 7.6 89 7.4 456 8.9 $40000 to $44999 131882 5.1 1322 8.3 70 8.5 17 10.4 I3 7.8 27 6.6 8 8.7 102 8.5 342 6.7 $45000 to $49999 I I7304 4.5 I104 7.l1 43 5.2 17 6.6 I2 7.2 26 6.3 II 12.0 99 8.2 216 4.2 $50000 to $19999 237993 9.2 19-15 12.3 89 10.8 28 10.8 23 13.9 49 12.0 19 20.7 211 17.5 219 4.3 $60000 10 $74999 345873 13.4 2216 14.0 100 12.1 33 12.7 31 20.5 70 17.2 17 18.5 228 18.9 132 2.16 $75000 to $99999 433929 16.8 1422 9.n 63 7.6 II 4.2 15 15.1 36 8.8 4 4.3 211 17.5 55 1.1 $l00000 to $124999 233290 9.0 424 2.7 IJ 1.7 1 0.8 8 4.8 7 1.7 I 1.1 63 5.2 9 0.2 $125000 to $149993 162591 6.3 I56 IO 4 0.5 0 0.0 3 I .8 0 0.0 0 0.0 27 2.2 0 0.0 $150000 to $174999 I IlJ10 4.3 IO4 0.7 2 0.2 0 0.0 0 0.0 4 I .o 0 0.0 21 1.7 3 0.1 $175000 to5199999 69168 2.7 34 0.2 3 0.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 3 0.2 I 0.0 $200000 lo $249999 12910 2.8 51 0.3 I 0.1 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 9 0.7 1 0.0 $250000 to $299999 36170 I .4 19 0.I 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.o 2 0.2 I 0.0 $300000 to $399999 27055 I .o I4 0.I I 0.1 0 0.0 I 0.6 0 0.0 0 0.0 4 0.3 0 0.0 $400000 to $499999 10146 0.4 2 0.U 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 I 0.1 I 0.0 $500000 or more I I460 0.4 10 (1. I 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.o 0 0.0 3 0.2 2 0.0 7'OlUl ~lllil.$ 2511261 loo n 1.i.Wl I IJO. 0 12J 100.0 250 11Jll.1l 166 100.0 JOH 100.0 Y2 1011.0 1.2116 100 0 5.135 IOU. 0
* Lower valne qnaiiile 642.500 2KbOO 67.3 26300 92.0 2(hn0 100.0 37900 144.1 28100 74.1 33900 120.6 43900 129.5 11700 40.3 Median value $69,700 I 43.100 62.3 3x(100 88.9 38300 'J9.2 54800 143.1 42800 78.1 47700 I 11.4 58500 122.6 26600 45.5 Upper value quartile $109.500 * 63100 57.8 5xon(l 9.6 53300 91.9 73000 137.0 63100 86.6 59500 94 I 80000 134 5 36700 459 Source: 1990 US Census 01 lpiilatioii and Iloumg Table H-4 Year of Housing Unit Construction
Pennsylvania Somerset County ~leititcr’l’o~~,itslii~iBoswll Ilorougli .Icnnerstown Bor. Qliemahoiiing Township Stoptown Boroirgh SomersetBorough Johnstown City
Number Percent Number Percciil Niimher Prrcciii Nuinher Percrni Tuniber Percciit Number Percent Number Percent Number Peicent Number Percent 73954 1.5 607 1.7 49 2.8 2 0.3 4 1.4 0 0.0 0 0.0 16 0.5 I5 0.1 271938 5.5 1985 5.6 2 0 I .2 16 2.5 10 3.5 39 4.4 8 4.7 52 1.7 50 0.3 266690 5.4 247 I (1.9 1-13 8.3 65 IO.0 12 4.2 73 8.3 4 2.3 334 10.8 335 2.3
778612 15.8 7263 20.3 308 23.1 7‘) 12.2 27 lJ.3 241 27.4 20 11.7 634 20.5 1131 7.7 612604 12.4 3753 10.5 207 12.0 62 0.5 47 16.3 86 9.8 14 8.2 334 10.8 I138 7.8 720956 14.6 4022 11.3 I53 8.9 S5 13.1 69 23.9 89 10.1 II 6.4 396 12.8 I464 10.0 478061 9.7 3047 8.5 79 4.6 00 0.2 43 14.0 64 7.3 5 2.9 386 12.5 1468 10.0 1735325 35.1 12565 35.2 671 39.0 281 43.2 77 26.6 286 32.6 109 63.7 948 30.6 9066 61,’X 1954 * 1956 * I957 * I047 * 1954 * IO60 * 1939 * I956 * ’ 1939 * 4938140 100.0 35713 100.0 1720 100.0 bF(I 100.0 289 100.0 878 100.0 171 100.0 3100 100.0 14667 100.0 Y I e or Applicable I us of Population and Housing c-. N
... I I
I I I I I Section I: I '. I Municipal Financial Analysis I I I I I I I 1 I I MUNICIPAL FINANCIAL ANALYSIS One of the most‘important factors facing local governments is the state of their financial resources. I Very few services can be provided without knowing the amount of money there is available to spend. Infrastructure such as roads and sewers, services such as police protection and refuse collection, capital expenditures for new equipment, and general government services all depend on the I municipality’s operating budget for their funding.
With that in mind, this section will attempt to serve as an “early-warning system,” based on historical s data, to bring attention to potential problem areas within the municipal financial structure of Boswell Borough. This section should help make sense of the many factors that affect financial conditions and present them in a straightforward manner. An overall picture of the Township’s strengths and I weaknesses and emerging problems should develop. The data for this section was gathered from the Borough’s annual audit reports for the years 1993 through 1995 and the 1996 audits which will be I available before final production of this project. At the time this section was authored the audit reports for 1996 were not available; however, the annual budget reports were included for trend analysis. Additional data for 1993 was taken from the Local Government Financial Statistics published by the I Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Department of Community and Economic Development (formerly DCA). Information from this publication serves as a benchmark for Boswell Borough and allows for comparisons to other boroughs and townships. I 9. I Revenues and Expenditures Revenues determine the capacity of a municipality to provide services. Revenues should grow at a rate equal to or greater than expenditures. Revenues should also be diversified so as to not be overly I dependent on any one source. Expenditures are a rough measure of a municipality’s service output. In general, the more money a local government spends, the more services it is providing. However, I this does not take into account how effective the services are or how efficiently they are distributed. Total revenues for a borough are derived from two categories: 1) taxes and 2) miscellaneous I revenues. Revenues are derived by Boswell Borough primarily from tax collection. In 1992 the Borough of Boswell reported that out of $135,728 dollars in total revenue over 67.4% was derived from tax collection. Of the 67.4% of revenue, 29.6% was collected through taxes on earned income I and another 29.6% from taxes collected from real estate. In comparison, slightly less than one-quarter of the total revenues for boroughs in Somerset County were derived from tax collection and local boroughs collections from earned income and real estate are much lower at 14.3 and 7.1%, I respectively.
Boroughs in Somerset County have a much greater income derived from miscellaneous revenue I sources such as sanitary sewer rents and charges, state highway aid, waste and refuse disposal fees, and fines or forfeits. In fact, the average for Somerset County boroughs is that slightly less than three- quarters of their entire revenues are considered to be subcategories of miscellaneous revenues and not I tax based. The largest of the miscellaneous revenues are clearly the public service enterprises and the sewer rents and charges. Local boroughs derive 36.3% from public service enterprises and over 15% 1 on sewer charges and rents. The Borough of Boswell reports only $420 in public services and no such
1-1, 1 I earnings for sewer rents and charges. . I Table 1-1 shows detailed revenue of the Borough’s general fund taken from the local budget for the I years 1994 through 1997. Compared to 1992 the percentages of income derived from taxes are very similar for the years 1994-1997. In fact most of the amounts for each category vary only slightly from year to year. The high percentage of income derived from taxes, especially real estate and I earned income taxes are typical of small boroughs without sewer rents and charges. Conversely many of the expenses for a borough are operating the sewer services. However, the Borough of Boswell I should be aware of the need to increase revenue from other sources such as miscellaneous revenues. TABLE 1-1
I Boswell Borough I Revenue Receipts, 1993- 1997 I I I I I
I Totals 132,490 128,213 170,406 125,235 120,850 Cash January I and December 19, lYY-4 155 l,J44 2.358 3.64 1 0 1 Total Cash and Revenues 132,645 129,657 172,764 128,876 120,850 ISource: Boswell Borough I Expenditures from the general fund indicate the expenses the local borough has in operating the borough functions. The majority, over SO%, of boroughs in Somerset County expenditures come from total operation and borough maintenance. Within that 80% are a wide variety of expenses such 1 as general administration, sewer and sewage treatment, refuse collection, health service, police, fire, streets and highways, libraries , and parks and recreation. The largest category in most boroughs are the outlay for capital expenditures and streets and highways. Boswell Borough’s largest expenditure I by far is their outlay for streets and highways, over 35.3%. Other boroughs average only 13.3% of this category. Another large expenditure for Boswell is the outlay for general administration at over 12%; over 4% higher than other local boroughs. Additional outlays for Boswell are 10.0 percent for I police protection and over 17% classified as “other”. Police protection is very much even compared
1-1, 2 I to other boroughs but the “other” expenditures are much higher. This category usually includes I expenditures such as workers compensation, insurance, employee benefits, and payroll taxes. 1 TABLE 1-2 I I I 1 I I I
I Revenues and expenditures per capita are found by dividing the population into total revenues and expenditures. This figure will be derived by dividing the 1990 population of 1,485 persons by the years’ revenues. Surprisingly, Boswell has balanced their revenues and expenses perfectly keeping I revenues and expenditures per capita evenly. Only in 1992 and projected for 1997 is there a budget deficit. In 1992 the expenditures per capita out paced revenues per capita by $4.81 per person. In 1997 the projection is not very significant at only about a dollar a person. Revenues have declined i slightly since 1992 from $135,728 to a projected $120,850 for 1997, a decline of 11.0%. Much of the decline can be attributed to population loss and properties falling off the tax rolls since a very I large percent of the Borough’s income has been derived from earned income and real estate taxes. Tables 1-3 and 1-4 below, show the revenue and expenditures per capita from 1992-1997 I I I I I .. TABLE 1-3
I Revenue Per Capita, 1992-1997 I
TABLE 1-4 I Expenditures Per Capita, 1991-1997
TABLE 1-5
I Tin Rates, 1993-1997 I Tax Rate 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 General Purposes 22 22 25 25 25 Debt I I I I I I - - - - I All Other I I Total I 22 1 22 I 25 25 25
Operating Position
Another factor that investigates the relationship between expenditures and revenues is operating position. Operating position is calculated by dividing total expenditures by total revenues. This provides a picture of the Borough’s ability to balance its budget, reserve finances for future emergencies, and pay its short-term bills. An operating position greater than one indicates that expenditures exceeded revenues for that given year, and Boswell Borough operated at a budgetary deficit. An operating position of less than one indicates that the Borough’s revenues exceeded
1-1, 4 expenditures and Boswell had an operating surplus for that year. The smaller the operating position, I the greater the surplus. See Table 1-6. TABLE 1-6
1 Operating Position, 1992-1997 Boswell Borough Year Total Revenue Total Expenditures Position 1 1992 135.728 142,973 1.05 1993 132,490 131,201 1.01 1991 128,213 127,299 1.01 1 1995 170,406 169.123 1.01 1996" 125,235 125.233 1.0 I 1997* 122.450 122.450 1.o I I Debt Debt is important to analyze because it is an expenditure obligation which must be paid when due. Debt is an effective means of financing capital improvements, but its misuse can cause serious I financial repercussions. Even temporary inability to repay incurred debt can result in loss of credit rating and increased cost of future borrowing.
I Currently Boswell does not maintain any debt. I Property Value This factor measures the growth in property value over time and is designed to indicate growth from year to year. Since property taxes represent a major source of revenue for local governments in I Pennsylvania, growth in property value is considered a key sign of economic health. The property value factor is calculated by taking the current year's assessed property value, subtracting last year's assessed property value and dividing by last year's assessed property value. For this factor, any I positive number indicates a percentage growth in the assessed property value. I TABLE 1-7 I Year Current year assessed Previous year's assessed Property Value property value ($000) property value (SOOO) 1993 1,783 1.776 0.4% 1994 1,798 1.783 0.9% 1995 1,804 1,798 0.4% 1996* 1,825 1.804 1.2% 1997" 1,850 1,825 1.4%
I-I,5 I Fiscal capacity
B Fiscal capacity computes the relationship between population and the assessed property value in the Township. This gives an idea of the contribution of property value to the ability of the community to meet its obligations. Fiscal capacity is calculated by dividing the assessed valuation of real estate 1 by population as a measure of the growth in assessed valuation per capita. I TABLE 1-8
1 Year Assessed valuation of Population Fiscal real estate ($000) Capacity I 1993 1.783 1,185 1.20 1994 1.798 1,485 1.21 1995 1.804 1,485 1.21 1 1996" 1.825 1,485 1.23 1997" 1.850 1,485 1.25 1 I Findings I w Boswell's financial situation is in good condition. The Borough maintains no debt and offers basic services. However, the Borough is very dependent on revenues from taxes especially earned income and real estate tax collections. I Recently the Borough has seen a decline in revenues due to population loss and properties falling off the tax rolls.
i w The Borough spends a majority of its income on streets and street maintenance and general n administration. 1 I I I
I-I,6 I
Section J:
Analysis of Strengths and Weaknesses -- I ANALYSIS OF STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES 1 Communities are known for their strengths and weaknesses. People will identify communities with their distinctive characteristics; for example, a community has a good school district or has poor I roads. As part of the 1996-1997 Boswell Borough Comprehensive Plan Table J-1 includes all categorical elements of Section II, the Plan Components, with the results of the public meeting. This table will greatly assist the Planning Committee in forming the Goals and Objectives.
Strengths
Strengths are positive attributes of Boswell Borough. The area has many strengths that make it an I attractive place to live and work. Weaknesses
I Weaknesses are deficiencies, problems or undesirable conditions in Boswell Borough. Identification of these weaknesses provides the basis for formulating hture recommendations in the comprehensive I plan. 1 TABLE J- 1
Category Strengths Weaknesses I Physical The Borough is mostly flat with access to Lack of lands available for development. Terrain quemahoning Creek 'Rocky terrain on empty lands make Borough I e;\pansion very difficult. Some steep terrain in the northern section of the Borough. Land Use The Borough does not have a great amount The Borough does not have lands dedicated to 3f mised land uses abutting each other. industrial uses and available for development. A vacant gas station needs underground tanks removed. Housing Majority of housing stock is in good Several houses in the area are blighted and need work 2ondition and occupied done to them. Housing diversity reaches all income levels Almost 20% of the housing units in the Borough are - choice for income groups. opemed by the Somerset County Housing Authority - low income groups. Another five to seven percent of the housing stock will be mobile homes upon completion of the trailer park. Transportation Wide streets. well laid out. The Borough's budget is overburdened from taking care of a large amount of streets. Access to major highways Route 2 19 and Some streets need repairs. Route 30. Adequate parking off street on both sides Funds for snow removal are not adequate. Decause of wide streets.
I-J, 1 I Strengths and Weaknesses of Boswell Borough I Transportation (cont.) Ilcondition. --I I Fire and ambulance protection is adequate. Local police protection is available part-time. Facilities (Education, Hospital facilities are less than 20 miles Funding for a MI-time police officer is not available
emergency llawayaway in Somerset or Johnstown.~ I services, mdical Local medical facilities include: medical No public library. nursing care, dental, prescription, and home health homes, etc.) care. I (Focalpublic school facilities are adequate. bursing homes are not available for senior citizens. Water service is adequate. Water quality could be improved by replacing lines I (Water, Sewer, from the wells to the Borough. Refuse, etc.) Sanitary sewer service is adequate. Some phone lines are of poor quality. Refuse removal is adequate. I Electric. cable, and natural gas services are
adeauate.1- Access to regional recreational facilities are Need to complete the playground that has been started. The Borough has received a $19.100 mt1 I complete the project. " The Borough is within the State Heritage E.\pansion and improvements needed for addition; I' Park Comdor recreational facilities in the Borough. Athletic facilities are well used andReceived funding for Heritage Park through th accessible. Keystone '93 for $20.000. Existing playground and one being- I constructed. High School gymnasium available on I reserve. Many commercial buildings available for Many commercial buildings are vacant and are i downtown. need of repairs. Considering the small commercial base the Tax revenues do not cover needed repairs tl I Borough's tax base is stable - not declining. infrastructure such as streets. Vacant land is available along Olive. The original CBD is mostly empty. Somerset, and Morgan Avenue behind the I ((watertank. I Water. sewer, good streets. highway access There are no major employers in the Borough. lands and infrastructure for in-fill 1 development.
'ublic Services Inter-municipal cooperation is poor betweel I neighboring boroughs and other governmen authorities. I I I
I-J, 2 I I 1 I I I I PHASE 11:
I .. COMPREHENSIVE I DEVELOPMENT PLAN I I I PHASE 11: I COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Following the initial step of the completion of Background Studies in Phase I of the comprehensive I planning process, the Comprehensive Development Plan can be formulated. For this municipality, the following Plan Elements have been included: Community Development Goals and Objectives Statement, Land Use Plan, Housing Plan, Transportation Plan, Community Facilities Plan, Public I Utilities Plan, Plan Interrelationship Statement, Contiguous Municipalities Statement, Implementation I Tools, and Implementation Strategies. 1 I
I I I I I I Section IIA: I *. I Goals and Objectives I I I I I I I 1 I COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
I A plan to guide the future development of a community is only useful insofar as it reflects an understanding of the goals and objectives of the people who live in that community. "Goal" here refers to the long term direction and policy of the community. "Objective" refers to a specific action or set of actions which can be accomplished by the community I or some agency of it, in a reasonable and identifiable time frame. The goals and objectives presented here were determined by the Planning Committee and its Consultants after several public input meetings and a work session aimed at determining the problems and opportunities faced by the Borough.
I OVERALL GOAL: To make Boswell an attractive and functional community in which people will want to live, I shop, and work. Land Use I Goal: To provide for all appropriate land uses necessary to the community in an attractive and functional manner which minimizes the contlict between them. I Obj: Adopt and utilize this Comprehensive Plan as a guide to decision making. Obj: Write and adopt a Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance which recognizes the importance I of carefully controlling the type and quality of development allowed in the Borough. I. Housing Goal: To provide an appropriate mix of affordable housing for all persons who live in the borough and encourage the development of new single family residential housing for middle income families.
I Obj: Support and participate in the Somerset County Housing Rehabilitation program.
0b.j: Assure that new subdivisions and developments occur in a manner which is consistent with sound planning I practice and that they minimize the cost to the Borough for services and infrastructure. I Obj: Discourage absentee landlords and additional rental properties single family residential conversions. Obj: Assure that new construction focuses and is zoned for single family residential housing of moderate price I ranges. Transportation I Goal: To maximize safety and convenience of travel in a manner which provides accessibility to all areas of the Borough.
Obj: Develop long-term solutions to efficient and equitable Borough road concerns by devising a prioritized I schedule of maintenance and upgrades.
Obj: Eqlore potential for expanding alternative modes of transportation including bike paths and sidewalks in older I parts of the Borough. I Obj: Improve Borough street maintenance for repairs to local streets. 1
11-A, 1
.. I Community Facilities
I Goal: To assure that appropriate facilities are built and maintained which will meet the safety and service needs of the community in an affordable manner.
Obj : Complete development of park and maintain adequate park and recreational facilities for the present and future I residents of the Borough. I Obj : Assure the efficient functioning of Borough services and business by providing adequate space and stafY. Obj : Make repairs to the municipal building’s roof, floor, and windows. I Obj : Expand the educational and cultural amenities in the Borough by supporting the residential use of the library in the high school. I Obj : Assure that emergency medical services and fire protection remain at their current high level. Obj : Establish and maintain an appropriate level of police services by hiring one part-time officer.
I Obj : Encourage the development of regional emergency services for fire, medical, and police protection.
0b.j : Promote the provision of adequate day care and elder care within the Borough through the reuse of vacant I commercial buildings located downtown. I Public Utilities Goal: To mdntain and improve existing infrastructure to assure serviceability and improve development within I the constraints of fiscal responsibility. Obj: Work to assure a high level of service from electric, cable. and associated utilities and specifically encourage the improvement of phone lines in the Borough.
I Obj: Encourage Borough Council to develop a prioritized list of storm water sewers which need repair.
Obj: Encourage coopemtion between the Borough and school board for storm sewer improvements, specifically for I repairs from the football field to Mississippi Street connecting to Route 60 1. I Obj: Improve the Borough’s storm water system through grantsmanship and funding for repairs. Obj: Encourage the improvement of water quality in the Borough.
I FiscllVFinancid: To assure adequate md diversified tax base which is sufficient to provide necessary services now and in the future. I Obj: Encourage new commercial development in CBD to improve tax base.
I Economic Development Goal: To provide a maximum of economic opportunities for appropriate commercial and industrial growth I consistent with the above goals. Obj: Promote the establishment of significant employment opportunities within the Borough. 1
11-A, 2 Obj: Enhance, protect. and promote the historical and natural resources of the Borough within the context of I increasing recreational and cultural toksm. Obj: Promote the Borough as a good place for local-serving businesses and low. impact manufacturing and service sector employers.
I Obj: Encourage in-fill development utilizing the many vacant commercial buildings. I Obj: Develop a Downtown Revitalization Strategy and Plan focusing on commercial development. Obj : Enforce housing codes for abandoned buildings in CBD. I Obj: Form a local CDC to purchase and rehabilitate vacant and abandoned buildings in CBD and make them available for commercial activity.
I Public Health and Environment I Goal: To preserve environmentally sensitive lands, watersheds, and associated habitats. Obj: Manage and control all resource emaction industries to minimize the damage done to the natural and built I environments by these activities. Obj: Work to assure a safe and potable supply of water to all present and future residents of the Borough.
Obj: Preserve and protect open space and passive recreation areas from the harmful effects of overuse and I development. I 0b.j: Adopt and enforce a solid waste ordinance which limits burning of leaves and tmsh. I Other Goals Goal: To encourage all residents to maintain their properties in a may which makes the Borough an attractive place in which to live and visit.
I Goal: To assure accessibility to public buildings, parks, and community services by all members of the community. 1 Goal: To encourage community participation in municipal activities and decisions making. I I I I I
11-A, 3 I
Section IIB:
Future Land Use Plan
1
1 I 1 1 I FUTURE LAND USE PLAN I Of the major plan element of the Comprehensive Plan, the Land Use Plan element will have the most I direct influence for insuring the future orderly growth and development of Boswell Borough. The objective of the Land Use Plan is to formulate a proposed pattern of land uses to the year 2015. By basing this proposed pattern upon sound planning principals, the most orderly and systematic I development of the community can be assured and undesirable land use relationships are prevented.
In formulating the Land Use Plan, a number of factors must be considered. Primarily important 1 among these is the location and amount of undeveloped land within the Borough. Physical characteristics of this land such as underlying geologic structure, soils, slope, flood plains, wetlands, I and natural drainage must be analyzed. Not only must the undeveloped land of a community be considered in the Future Land Use Plan, but also the existing developed land. Where the land has been developed in the past, some major mistakes have been made. Primary among these has been the mixing of incompatible land uses and the poor placement of major traffic arteries in relation to residential areas. Solutions to these problems are provided by the Future Land Use Plan in conjunction with the Transportation Plan, the Community Facilities Plan, and the Housing Plan.
In addition to analyzing the developed and undeveloped land of the borough an estimate of future land use requirements must be made in light of the future estimated population and anticipated economic development. The Future Land Use Plan is presented in the form of a Future Land Map.
Before preparing the Future Land Use Plan, definite requirements for the land to be devoted to each land use classification should be assigned. Following are the land use classifications included in the Future Land Use Plan for the Borough of Boswell.
Residential
The greater proportion of land to be developed in the hture within Boswell Borough will fall into the residential classification. The physical requirements for the land to be developed in a residential use include: (1) a stable underlying geologic structure that provides a good base for building (especially in consideration of underground caverns and streams so common in this area); (2) soils suitable for a building base and also processing good percolation where on-site sewage disposal is contemplated; (3) a slope from 3 to 16%, (4) good natural drainage; and (5) a general attractiveness.
In addition to the physical characteristics of the land itself, the location of the land in relation to other land uses and facilities are most important. These include: (1) convenience to places of employment, shopping, educational facilities, and recreational facilities; (2) protection from major trafficways; (3) protection from incompatible and objectionable land uses (a separation and buffering of residential areas from industrial and intensive commercial areas); (4) good accessibility to facilities of water, sewer, fire protection, and hospitals.
1143, 1 Commercial
I With current trends of movement and regrouping of commercial establishments coupled with the ever increasing variety of these establishments, a portion of the Borough’s future development should be set aside in the commercial classification. The physical requirements for land to be developed for a I commercial use include: (1) a stable underlying geologic structure and soil that provides a good building base; (2) a slope of 0 to 8% (8 to 16% permissible for less intensive commercial uses as I neighborhood stores); and (3) good natural drainage. Considering the location of the potential areas of commercial development, a number of factors are 1 most important. These include: (1) availability of public utilities and public facilities such as water, sewer, and fire and police protection; (2) good access to and from supporting trade areas; (3) sufficient existing and potential population in supporting trade areas; (4) good competitive position I in relation to existing and other proposed commercial areas. I Inti us t rial Recognizing the need for a diversification in the industrial base of the Borough of Boswell to provide an increased number and variety of job opportunities, a portion of the Borough’s land most suitable I should be reserved for industrial use. The physical requirements for land to be developed for industrial use include: (1) a very stable underlying geologic structure and soil that provides a good building base to support the larger, heavier structures usually associated with industrial operations; I (2) a slope from 0 to 8%; (3) good natural drainage; (4) natural buffers between industrial areas and other uses; (5) adequate area for landscaping, parking, and future expansion; and absence of I development constraints including flood plains and wetlands. The locational factors that influence the positioning of the industrial areas in relation to the other land I uses of the community include: (1) availability of community facilities as water, sewer, fire, and police protection; (2) good access to major highways, railroads, and waterways; and (3) a favorable I competitive position with existing industries. Open Space/Conservation I Land placed in this category is usually not economically or physically feasible to develop at the present time for other land uses. This may be because of a number of factors. Primary among these in the case of the Borough of Boswell is that the land possesses a slope of over 24%. Much of the I land immediately surrounding and some land within the Borough is included in this slope range. Refer to Map 14, Development Constraints Map. Other areas placed in the Open Space Conservation category may be in the 100 year Flood Plain, are classified as wetlands, are poorly drained or have 1 weak underlying geologic structure. Whatever the shortcoming of the land placed in this category, any type of development whether residential, commercial or industrial should be severely I discouraged. The question now arises what can be done with the land placed in this category. Contrary to first impressions, this land will perform important and necessary functions in the future of the Borough. I Important among these are: (1) hiking and biking; (2) the preservation of potential watershed and viewshed areas; (3) provision of light, air, and open space throughout the community; (4) the 1 preservation of any sites of historical interest.
11-B, 2 I Summary of Objectives
I The following are the major objectives of the Proposed Land Use Plan: I To provide a proposed pattern of land uses to guide the future development of the Borough. To prevent an undesirable land use interrelationship by minimizing the mixing of I incompatible land uses. 1 To protect, preserve, and conserve the value of the residential areas of the Borough. To integrate the land use pattern with the existing and proposed traffic circulation system.
1 To use each parcel of land for the purpose to which it is best suited and most benefits the Borough as a whole.
I To compact and increase the density of commercial development within the CBD.
To develop more land for industrial use and commercial use. I I To develop more land for public use especially for playgrounds, parks, and playfields.
1' To make the Borough more efficient and orderly in its arrangement. I To provide adequate open space throughout the Borough. I To develop the remaining vacant land for the best possible use and most appropriate uses. Future Land Use
1 Having determined the existing land use distribution of the Borough and having studied the physical, economic, and demographic characteristics of the Borough which will influence future land utilization, a proposed pattern of land uses can now be formulated. Refer to Map # 16, Boswell 1 Borough, Future Land Use, for the recommended future land use distribution for the Borough. ;1 Implementation of the Land Use Plan The Future Land Use Plan is presented as a guide for the future orderly growth and development of the community. The Plan has no legal enforcement status to insure its effectuation. The 1 wholehearted support of the Plan by the Borough Council, Borough Planning Commission, public 1 officials, citizen organizations, and individual citizens is, therefore, most imperative. In addition to this support, there are a number of other implementation tools which can be used to I effectuate the Plan. These include: 1
11-B,3 1. Zonlng:The Borough of Boswell presently has a Zoning Ordinance. As part of this planning program, an updated Zoning Ordinance and a Zoning Map is being prepared. The updated ordinance reflects the Future Land Use Plan Element of the Comprehensive Plan as well as recent amendments to the Municipalities Planning Code. Somerset County has adopted and administers a Subdivision and Land Development for many of the municipalities of Somerset County including Boswell Borough.
2. d nevehpmxl Ordinance: This ordinance provides developers and potential subdividers will have definite indication of the minimum standards required to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents of the community as well as adhering to generally accepted design standards. The ordinance acts to guide their efforts in relation to the Master Plan and Future Land Use Plan of the Borough of Boswell.
-I ... I 2. m:A Housing Revitalization Strategy and Plan should be undertaken for the Boswell Borough. This strategy and plan will include a market analysis and merchant and shopper survey. It will also include: organizational building, analysis of I physical environment, the revitalization plan and an action plan. This revitalization strategy and plan will act not only as the basis for the revitalization and conservation of the Borough, but will also act to implement the proposed land use pattern of development as recommended I in the Future Land Use Plan of the Comprehensive Plan.
4. m:This strategy is comprised of a list of recommended projects I' and programs with their respective priority and time frames for implementation. The strategy covers a period of five (5) years into the future. Through this strategy the recommendations I of the Comprehensive Plan can be carried out and financed thereby promoting the effectuation of the Proposed Land Use Plan. This strategy can act as the basis for a more formal Capital Improvements Prosram (CIP) which indicates the actual year for each project or program I along with the estimated cost and the recommended sources of funding. I I I 1 I 'I I
I I 1 I I I 1 I Section IIC: I *.
11 Housing Plan I I I 1 I 1 I I I I I HOUSING PLAN ELEMENT One of the primary concerns of any Comprehensive Plan is the existing and future housing stock of I the community. This is an important element for several reasons: 1. Residential uses of land are the largest portion of the developed land in the I community. I 2. Housing represents the greatest stock of privately held wealth in most communities. 3. The shelter function provided by housing is critical to human health and safety.
I Housing is not only an important issue, it is a complex one. Most housing is provided by the private sector through the marketplace. Housing decisions are made by individuals and families based on their perceived needs, their incomes, and the availability of the type of housing they desire and can I afford in the area in which they wish to locate. Often the match between type of housing, price of housing, and desired location is not optimal from the standpoint of the individual home buyer or I renter. A series of tradeoffs must then be made. Housing values for the area are much lower than most housing in Pennsylvania. This does not imply I that the housing is in poor condition but several factors play a part. One, the housing stock in the Borough is older than Pennsylvania housing on average requiring consistent repairs and improvements to remain viable. Second, incomes in the area are generally low to moderate. The I older housing requires capital improvements to maintain a high value many of which are beyond the budget of the area residents, especially considering the large portion of elderly homeowners on fixed incomes. However, incomes and home improvements can not fight the general decline in property I values for the region. In short, the housing quality in the area is good and persons seeking housing in the area can find an affordable, older house. New housing is not currently being developed, so the choices for young, professional families wanting new starter homes at an affordable price are not I plentiful. Additionally, rental properties do not exist in the Borough with the exception of two government subsidized housing units on Main Street. Consequently, young families or individuals I who can not afford to purchase housing must locate elsewhere. The main purpose of the Housing Element of this Plan is to assure that a range of housing choices are I are provided in the housing market so that households wishing to locate in the Borough can find appropriate housing which meets their basic requirements. This is expressed in one goal:
I “To provide an appropriate mix of affordable housing for all persons who live in the borough and encourage the development of new single family I residential housing for middle income families.” Supporting the Housing goal are several objectives designed to improve the overall value of housing in the area. Here, the first concentration is on the preservation and conservation of neighborhoods I and the housing stock within those neighborhoods.
Several objectives are designed to maintain or encourage opportunities for new residents to locate in I new single-family homes.
ID 11-c, 1 I Maintaining Housing Value and Assuring Quality Development
I Boswell is a small residential community located in mid Somerset County. Constructed as a mining town, the Borough has settled as a primarily residential area with limited commercial activity. Recent I developments have diversified the housing stock significantly providing housing opportunities for low income families and prefabricated starter homes for purchase. I Preserving Older Neighborhoods: There are three primary reasons why neighborhoods deteriorate. The first has to do with the age of both the housing stock and the age of the home owners. When these areas developed they were built as new housing for families with children. The children have grown I up, moved out, and are now living in homes of their own. The parents are often still in the same house, but are retired and on fixed incomes. Many are not capable of physically maintaining their I properties. The houses are beginning to deteriorate. Second, older houses not well maintained become subject to purchase by landlords who with minor rehabilitation efforts turn the housing into rental properties. This in itself is not a poor practice, but absentee landlords can be a concern since I they have a tendency to not maintain their properties as well as local landlords or homeowners. Third, the infrastructure in the older areas is not as modem or efficient as that in the developing areas. I Storm sewers need repairs, water lines are beginning to need repairs, etc. These three effects combine to create a situation of decreasing housing values and increasing blight. I. There are several actions which can be taken by the municipalities to improve housing values and preserve neighborhoods. The key is to participate in the housing rehabilitation program but this, by itself, will not turn the tide of decreasing value. It is also necessary to create and respect the zoning I in those areas which are not yet fully blighted. Spot zoning and uncritical award of variances tends to lead to a further mixing of land uses and, very likely, continued neighborhood deterioration.
I Recommendation: Encourage the development of alternative housing types for elderly persons - personal care.
I Recommendation: Explore shared services to promote consistency and affordability in code enforcement and apply zoning controls and building codes stringently in areas which are beginning to suffer from blight by focusing on two objectives for land use which refer directly 1 to the concern for improved quality of housing: I 1. Updating the Zoning, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances which recognize the importance of carefblly controlling the type and quality of development 1 allowed in the region. 2. Update the Building Codes in the region for consistency and ensuring the general I safety and welfare of its citizens. Recommendation: Concentrate substantial resources on improving the infrastructure of older I areas which are not currently blighted. Recommendation: To encourage all residents to maintain their properties in a way which makes the region an attractive place in which to live and visit through increased enforcement I of existing ordinances.
11-c, 2 Housing Rehabilitation: One approach which both preserves the quality of the housing stock and helps assure a supply of affordable housing is publicly sponsored housing rehabilitation. The I Borough should actively promote and participate in the County run housing rehabilitation program. This program makes grants available for low and moderate income homeowners who rehabilitate their I own homes. It is necessary for households to qualify on the basis of income, to bring their properties up to code and to continue to live in their homes for at least five years after receiving the grant. There are several potential areas of the Borough which could be approved for the County funds. A County- I wide housing conditions survey should be undertaken to determine areas where housing deterioration and neighborhood blight are becoming significant concerns. These areas should then be the focus of I the rehabilitation program. Recommendation: Focus housing rehabilitation efforts in the declining neighborhoods and I other areas with substantial neighborhood blight by focusing on these objectives: 1. Supporting and participating in the Somerset County Housing Rehabilitation Program.
I 2. Coordinating local housing efforts with the Somerset County Housing Authority. I 3. Address housing needs by identifying all existing housing programs available in the area and explore grantsmanship opportunities to finance programs not available. 1 Assuring High Quality New Developments: The other side of the prevention of blight and, therefore, of maintaining housing value is to assure that the structures themselves are built to last, that the neighborhoods are designed for long term stability, and that the infrastructure is appropriate for the I type and density of land use after full development occurs in an area. Strict adherence to building codes can assure that the houses are well built. Concern with the interaction between the natural environment and the manmade environment has led to new design criteria in housing development I such as cluster development, green space set asides, stormwater management, and other rewlatory and incentive efforts which will help assure stable neighborhoods.
I New housing is provided largely by the private sector but the goals of the housing developer are not necessarily completely congruent with the needs of the community. New developments often are constructed with little apparent thought of how they will integrate into the overall community. Few I interconnections between these developments will lead to isolated enclave type neighborhoods. Little planning for commercial or community services in, or near, the developments is evident. Hence, the I public sector needs to take an active role to assure that both community and private goals are met. Recommendation: Create Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances to I assure that new subdivisions and developments occur in a manner which is consistent with sound planning practice and that they minimize the cost to the Borough for services and I infrastructure. Recommendation: Strictly enforce building codes.
1 Recommendation: Plan infrastructure extensions carehlly to assure that development occurs at a sustainable pace. Plan the location of infrastructure carefully to minimize the costs to the Borough and to assure that developments are served at levels which reflect full built-up I demand.
11-c, 3 I Maximizing Housing Choice
I Traditional single family housing is becoming very expensive. Most American families pay more than 25 percent of their incomes for housing related costs. A new single family home in the region 1 typically costs around $90,000. By the standard used by most banks in awarding mortgages, a household would need an annual income of at least $40,000 to purchase such a home. This does make it easier to attain goals related to high quality development but it suggests that alternative types I of housing are necessary for many residents to have access to affordable new housing.
High Density and Multi-famz7y Zoning: An alternative which might be considered is a high density I residential zone which would set a maximum lot size of (perhaps) one-quarter acre. Homes built on lots of this size would be likely to be less expensive than those typically built in the area. Allowing, or even encouraging, manufactured and modular housing in this zone would significantly reduce I housing costs. The current development of Boswoods fills the needs of this type of development offering prefabricated homes in a dense, well landscaped atmosphere with houses starting at $50,000.
1 Encouraging Homeownership: A major concern for the area is the loss or failure to attract young college graduates and young professional families. A reason sited is the lack of new housing I opportunities at moderate prices. A development of townhomes or condominiums would fill a need for moderate priced new housing and encourage increased homeownership opportunities. The increase in opportunities for younger families to live in the area could greatly enhance the character I of the area and its economic future.
Recommendation: Through the use of a Zoning Ordinance, discourage the development of I additional rental properties and focus on in-fill or redevelopment of existing housing for single-family residential uses.
I Recommendation: Encourage the development of home ownership opportunities such as townhouses through updated zoning and subdivision ordinances.
I Recommendation: Explore home ownership programs to encourage families to purchase homes and live in the area.
I Recommendation: Create educational programs concerning the benefits, preparation for, and I promotion of home ownership. Senior Citizen Housing: The Borough, like most areas of the Commonwealth, are experiencing an increase in the percentage of its population over the age of 65. This trend will continue to occur for I at least the next two decades. As the aging process of the community continues, the percentage of homeowners who are still living in the same home in which they raised their families even though they are now “empty nesters” will increase. This is a concern for several reasons: first, as I householders age they are less able to physically care for their homes; second, many are on fixed incomes and cannot afford the costs of upkeep and preventive maintenance; third, these one or two person households are using housing space which might be better made available for younger I households with children. It is, therefore, in the best interest of the municipality to provide alternative housing for these persons. Studies have shown, however, that most persons are unwilling to leave their communities in order to secure housing more appropriate for their senior lifestyles and needs. I Appropriate senior citizen housing must be built in the same neighborhood to be attractive to these
I 11-c, 4 I persons. This housing may be federally assisted under Section 202 of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Act of 1956. Alternatively, many developers in the larger urban areas are beginning I to build “life care” facilities which allow residents to live in their apartments or townhouses as long as they are able, then transfer to increasingly assisted housing as their needs change. These latter are I usually quite expensive but they do offer an attractive alternative to many better-off seniors. Recommendation: Allow the establishment of personal care housing for the elderly and the I handicapped along appropriate corridors in an appropriate area within the Borough. Recommendation: Explore with private developers the creation of at least one life care I facility in the region.
Mobile Homes: Mobile homes are the least expensive way for many households to enter into 1 homeownership. There are several concerns with this type of housing, however, not the least of which is the fact that mobile homes tend to depreciate rather than appreciate over time. This has the effect of causing mobile home parks and neighborhoods with substantial concentrations of mobile homes I to lose value and deteriorate. In order to meet the goal of maximizing housing choice, mobile homes should not be completely discouraged in the Borough; however, an over abundance of mobile homes i would conflict with the goal of a high quality, stable, and economically viable housing stock. Perhaps the best alternative would be to zone a few lots of the Borough for mobile homes and to I discourage their use in other areas. In recent years this practice has come under increasing scrutiny by the courts; it might be challenged. By creating a special zone for mobile home parks the Borough may be able to both have the advantage of this low cost alternative to traditional homeownership and
I! I! maintain quality development elsewhere.
Recommendation: Create special mobile home zoning in a small, open area of the Borough I consistent with the recommendations of the Future Land Use Plan. .. I Notes-ces VnOpportllnltles Housing Rehabilitation Funding
I Housing rehabilitation can be funded by using a variety of federal and state grants. The two most widely used are the Pennsylvania Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the I Pennsylvania Housing and Community Development (H&CD) Grant Program (now the Communities of Opportunities Program). I The PA CDBG program provides funds to address community needs such as street improvements, water and sewer improvements, housing rehabilitation, as well as many other community related activities. The PA H&CD program targets its money to Housing Assistance, Community i Development, Downtown Pennsylvania, and Economic Development. There are three (3) ways to obtain funding.
I 1. Because the municipalities are not a PA CDBG entitlement community, i.e., the municipalities do not receive an annual allocation of its own PA Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the municipal officials may submit a 1 proposal to Somerset County requesting use of part of the County’s entitlement funds. 1 ll-C, 3 2. The Borough may also apply directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Community I and Economic Development for "competitive"CDBG funds. These funds are set aside for communities which are both "entitlement" and "nonentitlement communities. 'I Boswell is a nonentitlement community. There is a high degree of competition for I these funds and the amount of money is limited to approximately $5 million statewide. 3. The Pennsylvania Housing and Community Development Grant (H&CD) Program is I a competitive program which provides funds to communities for four general purposes one of which is housing assistance. A housing rehabilitation program would fall under the category of housing assistance. The municipalities can apply for up to $350,000 I for any given year. Application must be made to the Department of Community and Economic Development. It is recommended that the municipalities apply for both PA CDBG and PA H&CD funds to initiate the housing rehabilitation program. This I program has been recently refined into the Communities of Opportunities Program. I Program Guidelines To be eligible for the fimding, a Boswell Housing Rehabilitation Program must be concentrated upon low/moderate-income families according to State and Federal guidelines. Grants should be made 1 available to low/moderate-income households to rehabilitate their housing units. It is recommended that the Borough make the housing rehabilitation program Borough-wide and that it be limited to I owner-occupied housing. I Conditions for participation in the program should include: Homeowners must have resided in their homes for at least one year prior to making I application for rehabilitation assistance. The owner must continue to live in the property and maintain it in accordance with Section 8 Housing Quality Standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban 1 Development for five years to receive the full benefit of the forgiveness loan from the Borough.
1 Eligibility for the loans is based on the eligibility income range from the following 1 table: I I I I
11-C, 6
.. . . TABLE IIC-1 HUD SECTION 8 INCOME LEVELS I SOMERSET COUNTY I ( 1996) FAMILY SIZE: PERSONS VERY LOW INCOME LOWMODERATE I 1 $13,500 $2 1,550 2 $15,400 $24,650 c 3 $17,300 $27,700 I 4 $19,250 $30,800 5 $20,800 $33,250 I 6 $22,350 $35,750 7 $23,850 $38,200 1 8 $25,400 $40,650 1. I Source: Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. 1996 1 If the owner of a dwelling is eligible for a forgiveness loan, he must "borrow" the full amount of the loan from the Borough. As long as the owner remains in and maintains the property as determined I by an annual inspection by the Housing Rehabilitation administrating agency, one-fifth of the amount of the loan will be forgiven annually for five years.
I If the owner sells or transfers his property in less than five years, the outstanding amount of the loan will be paid from the proceeds of the sale. The funds which are recovered are then available to fund additional rehabilitation activities throughout the Borough. Loans should only be given to rectify 1 deficiencies and to weatherize the property. Critical deficiencies must be addressed first.
Loans are to be made up to $10,000. If a balance of the $10,000 maximum remains after eligible I repairs are made, then those funds can be spent for other code deficiencies and weatherization improvements. It is important to note that when a unit is eligible for rehabilitation assistance, the unit I must be brought up to the €IUD Section 8 Quality Standards. If the maximum amount of the loan is not sufficient to cover these expenses, the owner of the home must come up with the additional I amount needed to bring the unit into compliance. Affordable Housing
I There is a belief at every level of government that every family should have a choice of affordable housing available to them as stated in the Housing Plan Goals and Objectives at the beginning of this I chapter . Affordable housing law Several laws at all levels of government were created to deal with the provision of affordable housing. The Federal Fair Housing Act was enacted to ensure that persons I would have available to them a decent home in a suitable environment. New Jersey has been the home to several important cases involving affordable housing at the federal level. The rulings on these cases, Mount Laurel I and 11, basically state that communities must provide their share of a t region’s affordable housing stock and that regulations do not relieve the municipality of this ,I ob ligation. Affordable housingprograms Several strategies are available to promote affordable housing. As previously outlined in this section of the plan, rehabilitation of existing homes can be used to provide sound affordable housing.
Weatherization is a form of housing rehabilitation that involves reducing the energy costs of a low income household. Both owner-occupied and rental dwellings are eligible for weatherization service. The Weatherization program is funded through the federal Department of Energy and has received a portion of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. The Bureau of Human Resources should be contacted for more information.
Other Housing Legislator
Housing in the region ranges from sound to deteriorating. The two challenges which should be addressed are a lack of affordable multi-family housing and the renovation or rehabilitation of owner occupied homes which show some deterioration.
Affordable Housing and the Laiv The Federal Fair Housing Act (as amended 1990) was created to ensure that every family would have a decent home in a suitable environment available to them. There is a growing body of both statutory and case law which pertains to affordable housing:
Federal Case Laiv As mentioned earlier, Mount Laurel I and 11: New Jersey has become home to landmark cases involving affordable housing. In the Mount Laurel I Decision, the Supreme Court ruled that communities in growth areas must take their fair share of the region’s affordable housing stock.
In Mount Laurel 11, the New Jersey and United States Supreme Courts ruled regulations do not relieve a municipality of their obligation to account for their fair share of affordable housing in a region. And, affirmative measures such as builders’ remedies, mandatory set asides, subsidies and mobile home zoning may be used to ensure that the fair share goal is achieved.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Laws Regarding Affordable Housing The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code Section 301(2.1) states that each municipal zoning ordinance is designed to provide for the use of land within the municipality for residential housing of various dwelling types encompassing all basic forms of housing. These forms include single family and two family dwellings, a reasonable range of multi family dwelling units in various arrangement, mobile homes, and mobile home parks. However, no zoning ordinance will be deemed invalid for the failure to provide for any specific dwelling type. Basically, this provision discourages exclusionary zoning and promotes affordable housing
I 11-Cy 8 I Sumc V. Zoning Hearing Board of Upper Providence Borough: This was the 1977 test case that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court established provisions for affordable housing. In particular, it like the Mount Laurel case, requires communities in growth regions to provide their share of affordable housing.
Funding Sources for Affordable Housing (as of 1996)
US.Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD is the base funding source of many Housing Programs. Their funds are used for developing affordable housing and purchasing mortgages (Fannie MAE, Freddie MAC and Finny MAE) and for rehabilitation and weatherization. The primary source of direct funding for housing is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED): The Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs offers several programs that utilize CDBG monies as a funding source. They are: Entitlement CDBG funds, Competitive CDBG, and Housing and Community Development Funds, now the Communities Program, and the HOME Program.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
The largest funding source for housing is the CDBG program. Both entitlement and competitive funds are eligible for this activity. The CDBG Competitive grants are usually due in Harrisburg in late March. The current maximum grant amount for housing rehabilitation is $250,000. Applications for hnding should be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs. It is quite possible to reapply for additional funding to continue the housing program after the first grant funds are expended.
Other State and Federal Affordable Housing Programs
Most federal and state programs for housing are targeted to low and moderate income families or individuals. To address the needs of affordable housing, rehabilitation of existing housing and future housins needs, it is recommended that the following programs be examined and possibly implemented.
Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly (HUD): The large number of senior citizens in the region creates substantial demand for elderly housing. This program provides capital advance grants for construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of housing for very low income elderly. Funding is available to CBO’s and other developers. Contact HUD Regional Office.
Section 811 Supportive Housing for the Disabled (HUD): This program, like, Section 202, provides capital advance grants for construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of supportive housing. Contact HUD Regional Office.
I 11-e, Y I HOME - Home Investment partnership program (HUD, DCA) : This program offers funding and general guidelines to municipal governments; while allowing the local government the freedom to I tailor implementation strategies for providing affordable housing to their own communities. This program contains the following Goals:
I 1. Provide affordable housing to low to very low income Pennsylvanians (80 percent of median income) I 2. Assist local governments in achieving adequate supplies of affordable housing 3. To foster and strengthen partnerships between the public and private sectors which I will increase the production and management of affordable housing. Low Income Rental Housing Tax Credits (Federal): The tax credit program is intended to assist in the creation and preservation of affordable multifamily housing for families with low incomes, senior I citizens, handicapped individuals, and homeless persons. The program makes available a dollar-for- dollar federal income tax credit up to 70 percent of the project’s cost. Contact Pennsylvania Housing 1 Finance Agency (PHFA). Home ownership Program (PHFA): Provides for low interest loans made through local banks to purchasers who have not owned a home in the last three years. Requires a low down payment and I subsidizes interest rate. Available for individuals and families only, but a useful way for banks to 1 meet their CRA commitment. PennHOMES (PHFA, DCA): A combined resource program to create multi-family rental housing by reducing financing costs. Both for profits and non-profits are eligible. Contact local bank or I DCED. Housing and Community Development Grants (DCED): This is the Commonwealth’s largest pool I of state monies for housing and community revitalization. It is a competitive program with the following eligible housing activities: owner occupied rehabilitation, rehabilitation of investor owned properties up to four units, new construction, and site improvements. Contact DCED for further I details. This program is now known as the Communities Opportunities Program.
Act 137Housing Fund: County Commissioners can increase fees for deeds and mortgages to provide 1 a match for other affordable housing programs.
Fannie Mae, Ginny Mae and Freddie MAC (HUD): In these two programs Federal Funds are used I to help low to moderate income and first time home buyers. When implemented, these programs help keep younger families in the local area., aid in slowing down housing turn over and the housing cycle I and stimulate a sense of community. Local Real Estate Brokers, Financial Institutions should be contacted for more information and the Regional HUD Office. I Community Service Block Grant Program and Employment and Community Conservation Progrurm: These programs are administered through the Department of Community Affairs, Bureau of Human Resources. These programs are targeted toward wider scale (community and neighborhood) I type activities. In addition this Bureau funds the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)which has the following components: 8
I 11-c, 1u Housing Initiative, Weatherization, Local Initiative, Progressive Readiness Employment Program (PREP), and Enterprise Zone Extension Credit Program.
The status of these programs, including their funding and timing, is unclear at the present time due to changes in the organization of the Department of Community and Economic Development.
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (IM): Tax credits may be taken on improvements made to income producing properties in the Historic District if work meets certain standards set by the Secretary of the Interior.
Locally Based Programs
The regional municipalities could take several steps related in preserving and promoting its housing stock. The following are suggested projects that the municipalities could undertake:
Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Mth Local Banks: Under the guidelines of the Community Reinvestment Act, a Federal Law, local financial institutions must provide funds for community, economic and affordable housing development in the municipalities in which they conduct business. This vehicle could be used for mortgage programs under the PHFA Home ownership Program to stimulate home ownership in areas where it is now low, providing low interest loans for housing rehabilitation projects, and developing Senior Housing Units.
Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance: Preparation of a revised Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance should promote affordable housing, encourage new housing structures, preservation of existing sound housing and the demolition of blighted structures. The ordinance writing and updating process would take a year to complete and require substantial public input.
11-c, 11 Section IID:
Transportation Plan
I I TRANSPORTATION PLAN The efficient movement of goods and people is the objective of the Transportation Plan. Pedestrian 8 circulation and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act are other objectives of the transportation plan. One of the major goals of this planning program is the provision of a plan for the expeditious and safe movement of traffic within and through Boswell Borough. The existing road ,I system and proposed future improvements satisfy the following general desires:
1. To insure the efficient and safe movement of traffic between the commercial, residential, and industrial areas of the community. 2. To minimize the detrimental effects of large volumes of traffic upon the residential areas of the community. 3. To prevent large volumes of through traffic from passing through the residential areas. 4. To provide for expected traffic increases in the future. 5. To serve areas of proposed future development.
Specifically, the overall goal for transportation in the Borough is “TO maximize safety and convenience of travel in a manner which provides accessibility to all areas of the Borough.” This goal is supported by four major objectives. The first and second objectives consider general traffic circulation and roadway conditions. The third objective is related to expanding alternative modes of transportation for recreational purposes.
Traffic Circulation
The area today known as the borough of Boswell was first settled and constructed in 1901 by the Merchants Coal Company.6 Thomas T. Boswell, the first president and general manager of the company, selected the site based on the reserves of high quality semi-bituminous coal underlying the region. Land was first purchased in 1900 from Jenner Township property owners including Oliver Peterson, Lucy Stufft, and Freeman Gonder. The Boswell Improvement Company, a subsidiary of the Merchants Coal Company, surveyed and laid out 1,600 lots in a grid pattern on a one square mile parcel of land. Each lot measured 50 feet by 120 feet. On these lots, the company erected numerous miners’ houses, managers’ houses, a company store (at the comer of Morris Avenue and Stony Creek Street), an office (at 404 Morris Avenue), and a bank (at 412 Morris Avenue). Streets were 36 feet wide; sidewalks were twelve feet wide. Twenty foot wide fire alleys were located between blocks.
As a result of this original conception the Borough does not have any major transportation concerns. The streets are wide and most of the downtown area has wide sidewalks. The major roads through the Borough are maintained by Penn DOT and have been resurfaced no later than 1987. The largest concerns for the Borough are the number of streets and the maintenance of those streets. The current amount of local streets were once for a larger population. The tax base has declined and the upkeep
6 This mid-sized company was later owned by the United Coal Company (1917-1918), the Davis Coal and Coke Company (1918-1939): the Benvind-White Mining Company, and the Quemahoning Coal Company.
8 11-D, 1 of the streets is a significant burden on .the Borough budget.
Recommendation: To ensure that any new development is placed in an efficient area served by current streets to minimize the additions of streets under the care and responsibility of the Borough.
The Borough does not contain any poor intersections or traffic signals. As mentioned, with the Borough's amount of streets, repairs and maintenance are a major part of the budget. A logical step in ensuring the efficient use of the funds is to establish a list of roads and their conditions with a schedule for repair.
Recommendation: To develop long-term solutions to efficient and equitable Borough road concerns by devising a prioritized schedule of maintenance and upgrades.
Alternative Modes of Transportation
Alternative modes of transportation for Boswell includes access to trails and encouraging pedestrian circulation through the upkeep of sidewalks. Boswell has access to the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail which winds over 70 miles from Johnstown to Ohiopyle State Park and is connected through a series of park properties known as Laurel Ridge. Sidewalks in the Borough are relatively wide and in moderate condition. The development of additional trails within the Borough is not viewed as necessary, however, the expansion of sidewalks linking newer development to the older CBD could improve local pedestrian activities. Specific attention should be made to connecting the new Boswoods development to the older parts of the Borough.
The facilitation of these ideas would be greatly enhanced by proceeding with a downtown revitalization strategy and plan with an emphasis on commercial in-fill development. The plan could be funded through a number of sources (see the Community Facilities and Public Utilities plan for 1 a listing of potential funding streams, Section 11-F) including a 1998 Small Communities Planning and Assistance Grant.
I Recommendation: Develop a Downtown Revitalization Strategy and Plan with an emphasis on commercial in-fill development which would facilitate the following 1 objectives: 1. Explore potential for expanding sidewalks linking newer development to the older 1 parts of the Borough. 2. Develop a prioritized list of sidewalks in need of repairs and identify desired I expansions. Upon completion of the revitalization plan a consulting firm or other qualified resource should be 'I retained for grantsmanship to apply for funding for bricks and mortar development. I 1 1
Section IIE:
Community Facilities and Public Utilities Plan I COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES PLAN
The final step in the development of the Comprehensive Plan, the Plan Elements, have been cultivated to reflect the general value statements and expressions of community vision of the Boswell Planning Committee. Throughout the production of the plan sections care has been taken to be within the overall goal formed for Boswell which is “...To make Boswell an attractive and functional 1 community in which people will want to live, shop, and work.” Additional care has been taken to ensure that the goals and objectives for individual sections have been accurately interpreted into I action oriented recommendations. Boswell offers a wide array of community facilities and services to its residents, including educational, recreational, public safety resources, libraries, and health facilities. A single goal was 1 developed “To assure that appropriate facilities are built and maintained which will meet the safety and service needs of the communities in an affordable manner.” Derived from this goal I are seven objectives specific in application and examined in the following sections.
1 Education Schools not only serve an educational purpose; they also serve as community centers, recreation areas I and social facilities as well. The North Star School District serves the local area including Boswell. Due to a declining population base the district has adequate capacity for the future. The educational abilities of the district are considered, locally, very good, and statewide at the median. Boswell, in I general, considers the school district an attractive asset. The major objective in the area of education for the Borough residents does not specifically apply to the school district, but rather to the 1 educational opportunities of its residents as a whole. Access to information is a growing need for all communities which enables them to keep pace with the amazing availability of knowledge and current technological growth. In most communities, I access to such information and technology can be found through the local library system. The region surrounding Boswell is deficient in this respect. The nearest major library is in the Somerset County 1 Public Library. Boswell’s desire is to improve access to information for its residents. The realization is that, locally, I insufficient fimds exist to start and maintain a library within the Borough; however, a regional library would be an interesting solution with shared municipal services with other local municipalities and the school district. Expansion of existing library services at the school and computer access for local I citizens would be a valuable use for local tax money, regionally located in a mutually agreeable environment. The recommendation for education in Boswell is as follows:
I Recommendation: To expand the educational and cultural amenities in the Borough by supporting the development of a local public library or expansion of library services through I the school district. I
1 11-k, 1 Municipal Buildings _.
Municipal buildings are the nerve center of a municipality’s operations. Most borough offices and personnel are located at the municipal building. The most visible of all the community facilities, the Boswell Municipal Building’s future recommendations are geared toward the most common needs of the community. These future recommendations for the Community Building are as follows:
Recommendation: To make a prioritized schedule of major repairs to the floor, roof, and windows of the municipal building and secure the money in the budget over the next five to seven years.
Public Safety
Fire Service Boswell’s fire department is a volunteer department. Boswell Borough helps to support and provide emergency service in several areas to its citizens. Boswell operates fire and ambulance services from the municipal building. The Boswell Volunteer Fire Department serves the Borough of Jenners, and surrounding areas plus provides support to Jennerstown, Stoystown, Acosta, and Jerome. Currently, enrollment is adequate to maintain the current high level of service; however, volunteer organizations must always be concerned with future volunteers. The department is authorized to carry a 50 person roster. The department has approximately 35 volunteers with 15 serving on the active roster. Future recommendations related to the fire service include the following:
Recommendation: Maintain adequate human resources through recruiting and training.
Police Service Police protection in Boswell as of this writing is served through Somerset County 9 1 1 which dispatches State Troopers from Somerset. Boswell has maintained a police staff of one part-time officer.
Police service in the Borough is not adequate. The State Troopers are slow in response and will only come for crimes or disturbances of relatively significant levels. A part-time officer is needed. To avoid fbture expense Without services it is recommended that the Borough prepare an agreement prior to enrollment with a commitment of a specified time of service upon completion of certification.
Recommendation: Interview potential part-time officers and prepare a contract of services prior to enrollment in recertification training.
It should be noted that the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development has grant monies available to form regional police departments. The grant money can be used to purchase new equipment, uniforms, vehicles and other police related articles. Public Utilities
Public Utilities serve as means of promoting public health, protecting the environment, communications and proper land use. The major issue concerning the Borough is the ovefflow of run-off water during peak rainstorms. The following are recommendations regarding public utility service in Boswell:
Sunitury Sewers Sanitary sewer is a process for the removal of waste from households and other local structures. Boswell Borough is sewer system is owned and maintained by the Jennerstown Joint Sewer Authority located in Jennerstown at P.O. Box 202 and can be reached by phone at 629-6261. The construction of the system began in 1975 and was completed in 1978. The lines leading to Boswell were constructed in 1982 and reach for 30,000 feet under streets, alleys, and yards. The system capacity is .SO0million gallons per day (MGD) with an average demand of ,381MGD and a peak demand of .444MGD. The system’s demand is not seasonal, pressurized or have any pressure losses. The leftover solid waste is disposed of at an approved sanitary landfill. The types of treatment used at the main facility is activated sludge. The system has four pumping stations all in good working condition. Tap-ins are required along the system’s lines and the system is in compliance with Pennsylvania Act 537. The Act 537 does recommend expansions.
The repairing of the storm sewer system is probably the most critical community issue facing the Borough. Alleviating the minor flooding of sections of the Borough depends on it.
Recommendation: Complete repairs to the sections of storm sewers as follows:
1. From the football field to Mississippi Street and connect it to Route 601. 2. Ohio Street and Allegheny Street from run-off from reservoir which cuts through part of Boswoods development. 3. Atkinson Way to new IC’s and the Drug Store.
WuterService The system is supplied by two wells and the Roaring Run Reservoir (Boswell Reservoir) as a back up water source. The authority’s two wells can produce about 453,500 gallons per day (GPD). However, the present day treatment capacity is about 381,600 GPD. If the treatment capacity was expanded, the system could deliver 453,500 GPD. The system also has a reservoir source. This source could be treated to add another 350,000 GPD capacity. Presently this source needs filtration treatment to be used in the system for which the current filtration system is not capable. Currently, the only significant water pressure problems are in the “Pilltown” area. The area does not have excess pressure - individual home pressure systems are used. The majority of the Borough has adequate water pressure ranging from 40 to 90 pounds per square inch. Currently the Authority is constructing a major system expansion to serve Boswoods, a 40 lot manufactured home subdivision located on Main Street near the northern end of the Borough. Overall, the Borough is adequately served and the system can handle some additional growth without treatment expansions. A wellhead, aquifer, or water quality protection ordinance does not exist for the Borough; therefore, the following is the recommendation regarding water service in Boswell Borough:
Recommendation: To develop a water quality protection ordinance in the next 5 to 10 years.
I ll-k,3 Electric Electric power for Boswell. is supplied by Allegheny Power and current service is 100 percent with room for expansion. Recommendations for future electric service are as follows:
Recommendation: Maintaining the existing system, and placing all electric lines underground where possible.
Recreation
A section dedicated to recreational resources is usually part of the community and facilities background studies as is the case in this plan. However, a goal independent of the community facilities and public utilities was derived due to the significant interest in such facilities in the region. The goal is "... to provide adequate amounts and variation of well maintained recreational facilities for the residents of the region.
Boswell is a small Borough. Recreational facilities are limited within the Borough because of space limitations due to development and Borough land. Currently a grant has been received to replace equipment at the Borough Tot-Park near the school on Howar Street. The completion of the repairs should improve the children's recreational opportunities. Additionally, the Historical Society has purchased a lease of a small tract of land.
Recommendation: Encourage the Historical Society to create a small park on the small tract of land recently purchased.
Recommendation: Complete repairs to the Tot-Park equipment.
Upon completion of a revitalization plan (recommenced in the Transportation Plan, section 11-D) a consulting firm or other qualified resource should be retained for grantsmanship to apply for funding for bricks and mortar development.
Municipalities often cannot afford to make improvements to their park systems. Current funding sources should be explored in order to carry out the improvements recommended above. The following are several potential funding sources for recreational improvements:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Monies Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Monies can be used to fund recreation projects. Neighborhood parks would be the category that Boswell Borough would be eligible to receive funds. These projects include the following:
Acquisition of land. Replacement of equipment. Purchase of handicapped accessible equipment. w Recreation programs that serve low to moderate income persons.
The projects must be local in nature and serve an area that is designated as 5 1 percent or higher low to moderate income neighborhood. Keystone ‘93 Recreation, and Park an& Conservation Fund (KEY ‘93) KEY ‘93 was signed into law on July, 2, 1993 by Act 50 of the Pennsylvania Legislature. The program is financed by a $50 million dollar bond issue and 155 of the states realty transfer tax revenues. The bond issue portion of the program is scheduled to last three years, beginning in 1994-1995. The Key ‘93 Program can 1 fund park and recreation projects, zoo projects and land acquisitions. Boswell may wish to consider applying for a park and recreation project grant for a land acquisition project. The latter could be done for a future park or permanent open or wooded areas. The Pennsylvania Department of I Community Affairs is the administrator of this program. Applications are usually received in early February each year. The Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation fund was established in 1993 I for the following purposes: Providing technical assistance for open space and recreation studies and plans. Recreational Circuit Riders (Shared Professional). Small Communities Projects for communities with less than 5,000 persons. I Acquiring recreational lands. 1
1 1 I
Section IIF:
Economic Development Plan 8 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
I Economic development is a concern for most municipalities. A healthy and growing community requires employment opportunities within commuting distance of municipal residents. Further, there 1 is a perceived need in most communities for non-residential development within the Central Business District (CBD) of the borough. A lack of regional employment opportunities leads to high unemployment, low incomes, out-migration, and in the long-term, disinvestment in the community. Even where regional employment opportunities exist in sufficient quantity to assure population stability or growth, there is a need to balance residential development with development of income producing properties. Such properties provide higher tax revenues and help the local government maintain fiscal solvency.
Regional employment opportunities are based on many factors. Many of those factors are not amenable to change by municipal level efforts. Location, resources, available sites, infrastructure, transportation, and labor force are the critical concerns indicated by most companies. County, regional, and state development programs and policies may have much more impact on most of these than local efforts.
This is not to suggest that the municipal governments should not concern themselves with the generation of regional employment opportunities -- only that their impacts will be relatively marginal, and that larger entities are better equipped to take the lead in most direct economic development programs.
Most minor civil divisions within the Commonwealth are also too small to have much impact on local economic development patterns and trends -- even within their region. However, Boswell’s main concerns are not large scale economic growth. The borough is attractive to current residents because of the “small town” atmosphere, a rural like setting, and its self-sufficiency. Rather, the borough’s desire is to keep current business and provide a positive downtown commercial atmosphere which will encourage the reuse of existing infrastructure. In doing so, the goal of the borough is focused on aesthetic improvements and reuse of vacant structures in the main commercial district. The Economic Development Goal of Boswell Borough is as follows:
“TOprovide a maximum of economic opportunities for appropriate commercial growth through beautification and the creative reuse of vacant buildings in the CBD” 1 An initial step in conquering improvements in a CBD is to develop a plan of action. Recommendation: Create a downtown revitalization plan focusing on beautification of the 1 CBD in cooperation with local business owners, chambers of commerce, etc. -- using the 1998 Small Communities Planning Assistance Program (SCPAP) for funding.
I The major problem in the downtown area along Center and Main, is the large number of vacant buildings. The numerous vacancies create a number of problems: 1) Vacant or abandoned buildings are generally, poorly maintained. They are aesthetically distracting to the borough’s overall 1 appearance. 2) They are not housing any economic activity which would create tax revenues for the borough. 3) They are not producing jobs for local citizens. 4) They are not providing basic goods and services; thus, local residents go outside the borough for their basic needs and the borough loses I opportunities to capture retail revenues.
1 11-k, I I The following table is a comprehensive list of all vacant buildings in the borough. It will be the focus 1 of the Revitalization Plan to concentrate efforts on reusing these buildings for commercial activity. I TABLE IF-1 11 1 future use would be another apartment 402 Center NA Former commercial storefront; top floor is apartment; bottom storefront i I unused; recently purchased good condition; owner prefers commercial use for bottom floor 317-319 Center Shoff Former supermarket; fie damaged; poor condition: block building I -equiring many repairs; owner asking high price 313-315 Center B eckner Open lot; former supermarket building; fie damage and was demolished; lot is in poor condition 1 307-31 1 Center Policcicchio Former flower shop; currently empty; vacant store front with storage in back; building is in good condition 201 Main Cape Former gas station; has underground tank that will have to be removed; owner is not paying taxes; banlc will not foreclose due to tank liability; I very Door condition; currenth an auartment exists on the top floor 300 Main Shettic Former movie theater, nice storefront with rehab; currently in poor condition .‘ 1 NA Former 1” National Becurrently three apartments in use on top tloor, large limestone building in good condition; attractive storefront Hancock 304 is in use as liquor store; 306 was a drug store; currently empty; I moderate condition: would make attractive storefront 1308-312 Main ormer car wash; recent addition is in excellent condition; was a pizza PA .. . II 314-316 Main Policcicchio 3 14 occupied as Laundromat in front and restaurant in back 316 is empty: small storefront in moderate condition 322-324 Main NA Former hair salon; very small deteriorated building in an alley: not useful as retail store; very poor condition I Source: 1997 Field Survey and Local Information I Recommendation: Form a local Community Development Corporation to purchase and 1 make available for commercial activity, vacant buildings in the borough. It is the hope that a revitalization plan will result in several improvements which are visible and relatively inexpensive for the borough to implement. One improvement of this nature is the planting I of trees in the CBD. There are many benefits to planting trees, although most cannot be measured in terms of money. First, the plantings reduce noise and pollution. Second, the trees reduce the amount of heat reflected from concrete and pavement. Third, they beautify by breaking up the I landscape and connecting the highly developed areas with the rural nature of the region. Finally, they provide shade spots that, when combined with appropriate street furniture, encourage pedestrian I circulation. Recommendation: Improve the atmosphere of the CBD by implementing a tree planting I program. I Economic development on a regional basis requires many municipalities’ efforts and coordination. Cooperation of this sort is necessary for the municipalities to discuss their concerns and arrive at I common goals for the region. Next, the decisions need a group with the political power to embark on the pursuit of the goals. A Joint Planning Commission can often be a positive, politically I influential way to encourage regional activities and coordination. Recommendation: Encourage cooperation and coordination of events with contiguous municipalities by forming a Joint Planning Commission. Form a Regional Joint Planning I Committee to gain consensus among the contiguous municipalities and to decide on the process for selection of the members. I Regional Promotion
I Boswell is an attractive, self-contained bedroom community located in a beautiful, scenic, rural area near the Allegheny Mountains. Promotion of its community spirit, small town atmosphere, and I abundant access to recreational activities should be a natural process considering the many positive attributes of the community.
I Recommendation: Promote the borough’s attributes by forming associations with non-profit agencies, chamber of commerce, using Internet resources and other local assets with an I emphasis on promotion to former residents or natives. I I i I I E I I I 1 11-k, 3 I
Section IIG:
I Plan Components Interrelationship Statement I
I I STATEMENT OF INTERRELATIONSHIP OF PLAN COMPONENTS
I. I The synthesis of interrelated activities to resolve issues and problems is always the thrust of community planning. In this regard, there are linkages among the elements of the goals and objectives and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. All are related and should further the I overall goal which.is to make Boswell an attractive andfunctional cbmmuniv in which people will want to live, shop, and work. This clearly underlies all future land use recommendations which attempt to protect environmental features, promote rehabilitation where needed, encourage low I intensity economic development, and discourage sprawl.
The Zoning and SubdivisiodLand Development Ordinances place the land use, division of property, I and land development recommendations in a regulatory framework. Housing recommendations not only come to terms with demographic trends, rehabilitation needs, and existing housing conditions, I but also further the goals of low-intensity and complementary residential development, the elimination of blighting influences, and the conservation of the existing way of life in the Borough. Transportation recommendations not only address safety issues and strengthen and improve the I existing transportation system, but seek to enhance future land use recommendations and economic development potentials as well. The community facility and services recommendations reflect the land use recommendations related to the enhanced village center concept, the avoidance of sprawl, I I and the preservation of historic settlements and the industrial heritage. Finally, heritage/tourism development recommendations have obvious impacts on future economic development potentials.
I The various relationships among the components of the Plan and the required implementation considerations are summarized in the remainder of this subsection. The following abbreviations are I used in this summary.
0 JPC: Joint Planning Committee/Commission (proposed) I 0 SCP&DD: Somerset County Planning and Development Department 0 PaDOT: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 0 SCHS: Somerset County Historical Society I 0 Governing Body: Boswell Borough Council I TABLE II-G PLAN COMPONENT INTERRELATIONSHIPS I AND IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS Recommendations and Components Implementing Relative Priority I Comments Affected Agencies I 1. Municipal Land Use Governing Body On-going and mid-tern Cooperation Housing Consolidation Economic Base I Transportation Community Facilities I Municipal Financial I 2. Regional Planning Land Use SCP&DD On-going and mid-term Area Needs Public Utilities Governing Body I Community Facilities Economic Base Housing Transportation . I I Physiography I I B. Historic Preservation 1. Continue Local SCP&DD Immediate HistoricaVHeritage SCHS I Group 2. Resource Historic Conservation Economic Base I Development Community Facilities m Districts Housing Workshops I Review Board 3. Facade h-ogram and Historic Governing Body Long-term Calendar of Events Economic Base DCED I C. Land Use
~ 1. Regional Planning Land Use Governing Body On-going I *. m Reviews Community Facilities Plan Update Economic Base PopulatiorVDemographics Transportation I Physiography
~ ~~ 2. Zoning Ordinance Land Use Governing Body Immediate I Preparation and Economic Base Enforcement Housing Transportation Physiography I Historic Preservation
3. Subdivision and Land Land Use Governing Body Immediate I Development Economic Base Preparation and Housing Enforcement Transportation Physiography I Historic Preservation I D. Housing 1. Assisted Housing SCP&DD Short-term and long term Rehabilitation Historic Preservation Governing Body Owner PopulatiodDemographics I rn Renter 2. Strategic Demolitions Housing SCP&DD Immediate I I Land Use I Governing Body I 3. Senior Housing Housing Governing Body Short-tern I Land Use E. Economic Base
1. Tourism and Heritage Economic Base SCHS Immediate and on-goin! Development Historic Preservation SCP&DD SPHPC Governing Body F. Transportation
I 1. Regional Highway Transportation PennDOT Short and long-term Improvements Land Use SCP&DD m Route 219 Economic Base Governing Body Route 30
2. Intersection Transportation PennDot Immediate and on-going Improvements Land Use SCP&DD IGoverning Body 3. Local Street Transportation Governing Body Immediate and on-going . Resurfacing and Land Use Improvements Community Facilities I G. Community Facilities
1. Water and Sewer Land Use Governing Body Long-term Enhancements Community Facilities Economic Base PhysicalEnvironmentaI
2. Recreation Facility Land Use Governing Body Short-term Community Facilities SPHPC Phy sical/Environmental
3. Local Police Community Facilities Governing Body Long-term Economic Base
1. Developmental Land Use SCP&DD On-going Limitations Community Facilities Governing Body Economic Base Housing PhysicalEnvironmental Municipal Financial . Municipal Financial
1. Municipal Land Use Governing Body Long-term Consolidation PopulationIDemographics Community Facilities Transportation Economic Base Housing Phy sicalEnvironmenta1 Municipal Financial I
Section IIH:
Contiguous Municipalities Statement
I I CONTIGUOUS MUNICIPALITIES STATEMENT I Boswell Borough, northern Somerset County, is located in Jenner Township approximately 19 miles south by southwest of the City of Johnstown and 10 miles north of Somerset Borough. Boswell is I surrounded by Conemaugh, Quemahoning, and Lincoln Townships all of which are part of Somerset County. The Borough of Jennerstown, and the Borough of Stoystown are contiguous to the Boswell in neighboring townships and share similar social and economic characteristics. Recommendations I made within this plan were coordinated with these surrounding municipalities in mind. This plan seeks to be regionally consistent; it is believed the goals, objectives and recommendations are I consistent with the neighboring municipalities. A summary of the Goals, Objectives, and Recommendations were sent to these municipalities and the local school district for comment. I I I I I I I I I I I I I
I 11-H, 1