Lycoming County commissioners held a public hearing and then voted to amend a 2024 bond note that is being used for construction of a childcare wing at Firetree Place at 600 Campbell St. in Williamsport.

The amendment, presented by attorney Ann Pepperman, counsel for the Lycoming County Authority, was in relation to the issuance by the authority of tax-exempt revenue bonds for Firetree Place of an approximate $2.2 million note. The amendment was to increase the borrowing amount by $615,460. It was an amendment to the bond document. It does not obligate the taxing power of the county. The borrowers, the authority and Firetree Place, accepted the conditions of the financial agreement.

Prior to the commissioners’ vote, Billy Dayton, Firetree Place CEO, explained the reason for the increased amount needed to complete the childcare wing portion of the project. He told commissioners that as part of Phase I there were unaccounted for “stormwater management and stormwater construction costs.” These include the need for an “underground water basin and the sprinkler system cost more than projected,” he said.

“Firetree Place is one of the shining lights of places where kids can go,” Commissioner Mark Mussina added. “It is safe. It is educational. It is everything that you would need it to be, so parents can work.” He said it offered “affordable childcare” and “quality childcare.”

“This expansion is so vital,” Mussina added. “We talk a lot about how we need this and how we have an opportunity to do something about it. We thank you guys for what you do. We talk about how essential this is all of the time and when we get opportunities we need to take advantage.”

“We met yesterday with a few of the school superintendents,” Commissioner and Chairman Scott Metzger said. “This is one of their major concerns, childcare, and not having enough childcare in the area. It’s a national problem. It’s a problem in our area too, making sure there (are) adequate childcare facilities out there to take care of our kids while people work. Parents are working and a lot of times one parent must stay home because of childcare costs or there are not enough sites. So, this is a great opportunity to help solve that problem.”

The contractor has informed Dayton they are optimistic the facility will be operational by February of 2026, Dayton said to a question from Mussina. “If he meets the deadlines that is our targeted date but it might be a little bit later, early 2026,” he said.

After the public hearing the commissioner held the unanimous vote to amend the bond or note for this purpose.