Galeton, Pennsylvania

Galeton is located at 41°43′56″N 77°38′41″W (41.732267, −77.644646).[5]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is land and 1.41% is water.

The town is located near Cherry Springs State Park, an area that is home to some of the darkest skies on the east coast. Making the town and the surrounding areas a tourist destination.

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 1,325 people, 513 households, and 347 families residing in the borough. The population density was 1,893.8 people per square mile (730.8/km²). There were 608 housing units at an average density of 869.0 per square mile (335.4/km²). The racial makeup of the borough was 97.36% White, 1.1% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.

There were 513 households, out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the borough the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 86.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $27,727, and the median income for a family was $30,463. Males had a median income of $26,797 versus $18,487 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $13,095. About 9.7% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.5% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Map of Potter County, Pennsylvania School Districts

Residents of Galeton may attend the local, public schools operated by Galeton Area School District which provides taxpayer funded preschool and full day kindergarten through 12th grade. The District's enrollment declined to 362 students preschool through 12th grade, in 2013. Galeton Area School District ranked 409th out of 500 public schools for academic achievement of its pupils in 2013. Galeton residents may also apply to attend any of the Commonwealth's 13 public cyber charter schools at no additional cost to the parents. The Galeton Area School District is required to pay the charter school and cyber charter school tuition for residents who attend these public schools.[9][10] By Commonwealth law, if the District provides transportation for its own students, then the District must provide transportation to any school that lies within 10 miles of its borders. Residents may also seek admission for their school aged child to any other public school district. When accepted for admission, the student's parents are responsible for paying an annual tuition fee set by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In 2012, the tuition fees for Galeton Area School District were: Elementary School – $9,828.42, High School – $12,543.99.[11]

Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit #9 provides a wide variety of services to children living in its region which includes Galeton. Early screening, special educations services, speech and hearing therapy and many other services like driver education are available. Services for children during the preschool years are provided without cost to their families when the child is determined to meet eligibility requirements.

Galeton Public Library is located at 5 Park Lane, Galeton. The Galeton Public Library Board meets the second Thursday each month, 7:30 p.m., in the library.

Galeton Borough Council is locally elected. The Council meets the second Wednesday each month, 7 p.m., at the Borough Offices.

Borough Council:

• Kelly Macensky – Ward 1
• Michael Messino – Ward 2
• Ben Hoppe, President 2014
• Ron Tarabori,
• Doug Droppa, Vice President 2014

Mayor Joseph Petrencsik was elected Jan 1, 2014. Borough Secretary-Andrea Caracciolo. Sewage Enforcement Officer -Terry Meyers. Chris Lantz of Cox, Stokes and Lantz – Borough solicitor for 2014. ParenteBeard, LLC as auditors for the 2013 audit. Tax collector – Lorri A. Griffen.

Police Station – 15 West St., Galeton, nonemergency number (814) 435-2600 Police Chief Christopher Brackman.

In 2013, Galeton Borough residents pay 73.6437 mills in property taxes (GASD – 37.0137 mills, county – 15 mills and borough – 21.63 mills).[12]

Potter County Commissioners

Potter County is governed by three commissioners who are elected at large. They meet Thursdays, 11 a.m., Potter County Courthouse.

State level

As of December 1, 2014, Galeton will be shifted to Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 68 as part of the statewide reapportionment, due to the 2010 US Census. Clinton D. Owlett – State Representative, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 68

• Martin Causer – State Representative, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 67 through November 30, 2013.
• Joseph B. Scarnati – State Senator, Pennsylvania Senate, District 25

Federal level

• vacant, Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district
• Pat Toomey, US Senator
• Bob Casey Jr., US Senator (senior)

• The Great Outdoors Conservancy