West Sunbury to receive sewer equipment funding following holdup
After resolving an issue with eligibility, West Sunbury is now set to receive funds originally requested last year from the Community Development Block Grant.
Butler County Commissioners voted Wednesday, April 9, to approve the reallocation of $31,907 from the 2024 block grant Housing Rehabilitation funds for the borough’s sewer equipment project.
According to Wendy Leslie, block grant coordinator, the borough originally applied for funds last year, but hit a roadblock due to eligibility criteria.
Leslie said she was told by the state Department of Community and Economic Development to use data from the American Community Survey to determine eligibility for the funds. The information provided by the state department showed West Sunbury at 40% low or moderate income, below the 51% threshold to qualify.
The new American Community Survey maps were not updated at the time they sent the information and were unable to identify census-designated places, such as West Sunbury, Leslie said. Census-designated places are small areas, such as boroughs, that have an individual census, but are part of a much larger census tract or block group.
“Once the new data was released for census-designated places, we were able to confirm that West Sunbury was eligible for CDBG funding at 75% low or moderate income, but, it was too late for the 2024 application,” she said.
A public hearing was held on Monday in West Sunbury to give the public an opportunity to comment on the reallocation of funds. The board asked Leslie if she received any feedback from borough residents.
“Just happy people really hoping that this goes through and they can make sure that their sewage is going to run at an optimal level,” she said.
Commissioners also voted to approve a request to advertise for bids or receive quotes related to West Sunbury’s sewer equipment project. Leslie said the borough is looking to replace a tractor, and it will likely go over the bidding threshold.
Outside of replacing the tractor, the borough’s newly allocated funds are expected to be used on purchasing a larger pump and new hoses.
“The old (pump) is smaller, and with sludge and stuff, they can bog down, which puts them out of service and always needs repaired,” Leslie said.
Commissioners also approved a request to advertise for bids on a second phase of the McCandless Road reconstruction project in Slippery Rock Township.
At a January meeting, Slippery Rock Township supervisors discussed the reallocation of remaining block grant funds from McCandless Road to Pink Road. However, the board decided to keep the funds on McCandless Road in a second phase to further improve its condition.
The next Butler County Commissioners meeting is set for 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23.
