ZELIENOPLE — The borough will begin pursuing five regional stormwater projects after approving $465,334 in Municipal Infrastructure Program grants Monday.

The grants will fund improvements to stormwater infrastructure on High Street and Main Street. Additionally, studies are planned on local stream banks and flooding in the Connoquenessing Creek area.

In cooperation with the Southwest Butler Stormwater Management group, $225,000 of the grants will be used for the creation of a Joint Southwest Butler Stormwater Authority.

“The regional stormwater group is made up of 10 municipalities,” Council president Mary Hess said. “Four municipalities — Evans City, Zelienople, Harmony and Jackson Township — have come together to work more closely because our watersheds impact each other.”

Zelienople is an active member of the Southwest Butler Stormwater group and acts as administrator for the four-municipality subgroup.

“We’re the poster child for Pennsylvania with this,” said Andrew Matthew, council vice president. “There’s nowhere else in Pennsylvania that they got 10 municipalities together, in one group, to do this.”

Hess explained that the groups have been getting federal attention for their efforts.

“There’s a lot of pressure to handle your stormwater,” Hess said. “And we want to get ahead of the curve.”

Council members also approved Gannett Fleming Engineering for the design, bidding and construction phase of Zelienople Community Park improvements.

“The borough had received a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, grant for the amphitheater project,” borough manager Andrew Spencer said.

The $50,000 DCNR grant was awarded to the borough in fall 2022 for renovations to the community park’s amphitheater. Renovations include accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act, seating and drainage improvements.

“We’ve all sat and had a kickoff meeting with DCNR,” Spencer said. “They want to see a contract with our engineer that’s specific to this project.”

Borough engineer Tom Thompson provided council with that contact. Engineering services are expected to cost $10,000.

“We’re going to bid it very soon,” Spencer said. “The plan is to hopefully be done late summer, early fall.”