CENTRE COUNTY — Ferguson Township Supervisors on March 3 debated two donation requests and also discussed community recognition, library programming and broader economic development questions facing the region.
The board voted 3–2 to approve a $500 donation to the Ferguson Township Area Senior Citizens group after discussion about whether the contribution duplicated other township support for senior programming.
Supervisors also unanimously approved a $1,000 donation request from Strategies for Justice, a local nonprofit organization that hosts educational programs and a symposium on policing and community relations.
Founder Terry Watson told the board the organization works to train law enforcement nationwide on issues including race, gender and disability while also hosting community events.
Watson said the group’s annual symposium is offered online to keep it accessible.
“When I think about who could access our symposium, I’m thinking about those with disabilities and I’m thinking about those who financially can’t afford to pay for a ticket,” Watson said.
Supervisors also discussed a request from the Chamber of Business and Industry Centre County to support the State College Air Service Alliance’s “Fly State College Fund,” a regional effort aimed at improving commercial air service at State College Regional Airport.
“We have over 40 individual contributors to date and I’m looking to push that to 100 with $250,000 either contributed or pledged by April 15th,” President and CEO of the CBICC Greg Scott said at the meeting.
The board ultimately approved a pledge of $10,000 rather than an immediate contribution. The measure passed 4–1, with Supervisor Trevor White voting against it.
Later in the meeting, supervisors declined to participate in a proposed regional consulting study aimed at identifying new revenue sources tied to tourism and major events in the Centre Region. The proposal would have cost Ferguson Township approximately $5,100 over six months.
The motion failed on a 3–2 vote.
In additional township business, Supervisor Jeremie Thompson noted the supervisors met in executive session on Feb. 24 regarding legal matters and also attended a recent Centre County Solar Power Purchasing Alliance meeting for informational purposes.
Early in the meeting, the board unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the concluding holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The proclamation described Ramadan as “a holy month observed by Muslims marked by fasting, prayer, reflection and communal gathering.”.
“I would just like to wish everybody listening tonight and our residents, truly Ramadan Mubarak to all of you,” Supervisor Ron Heller said.
Supervisors later approved the minutes from their Feb. 17 meeting.
In announcements, Thompson recognized March as Women’s History Month and highlighted recent accomplishments by women.
“Celebrating and respecting all the accomplishments that women bring in every day,” Thompson said.
The board then heard reports from several regional organizations.
Ford Stryker of the State College Borough Water Authority reported that the authority recently approved a 5 percent rate increase for water customers, consistent with increases in recent years. The authority is also preparing design work for a renovation of the Woodside treatment plant, with construction targeted to begin in 2028.
The authority will also accept bids to replace a water line on Sleepy Hollow Drive this summer.
Supervisors also received a report from Centre Region Library officials highlighting recent community programs and fundraising efforts.
Library staff said more than 200 people attended a recent children’s event featuring characters from Mo Willems’ popular “Elephant and Piggie” books, while a related reading event drew roughly 700 participants.
Library officials also reported that the organization’s 2025 fall fund drive raised $105,700.
“Most of those donations were small donations,” Schlow Library Director Lisa Collens said. “It shows just a large number of people believing that the public library is important to their community.”
A new children’s program called “Baby Builders,” aimed at infants ages six to 18 months and their caregivers, has also launched at the library.
