10 Butler County municipalities honored for collaboration
HARRISBURG — A collaborative effort to combat flooding in Southwestern Butler County received the 2023 Governor’s Award for Local Government Excellence on Wednesday, April 12.
The Southwest Butler Stormwater Planning Commission, made up of 10 Butler County municipalities, was awarded the honor in Harrisburg.
Adams, Cranberry, Forward, Jackson, Lancaster and Penn townships, as well as Evans City, Harmony, Seven Fields, and Zelienople have been meeting regularly to discuss stormwater and what they could do to mitigate future flooding events. The municipalities, along with Butler County, contributed funds toward a stormwater study of the region and identified priority projects in both areas of regulations and future capital projects.
Employing a strategic inter-municipal approach, the group has approved the recommendations and begun a process to amend local regulations in each municipality to pursue projects that benefit the region, according to a Wednesday news release
“Flooding threats are nothing new for the Butler County communities located along the Connoquenessing Creek and its tributaries, but for individual municipalities, finding solutions to prevent or limit stormwater-caused damage has proven difficult,” said Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st.
In 2019, following more significant flooding events in the area, the Butler County commissioners called a meeting of all municipalities to encourage municipalities to work together to address regional stormwater issues, he said.
Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., R-47th, also spoke highly of the collaborative.
“The discoveries made through their stormwater study is no small feat and the identified projects will greatly help propel these areas forward and better prepare for the future,” Vogel said.
Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th, spoke highly of the groups efforts.
“What I witnessed between these officials was nothing short of remarkable. Their collaboration, dialogue and collegiality are inspiring and have served to accomplish so much for the area,” she said.
The Governor’s Awards for Local Government Excellence recognize local officials for their successes in undertaking innovative initiatives to improve the quality of life in their communities.
