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SEDA-COG reviews future CDBG projects

Kelly-Weisen presents Community Development Block Grant idea to commissioners

MIFFLINTOWN — During the meeting of the Juniata County Commissioners Heather Kelly-Weisen, Project Coordinator-Community Development SEDA-Council of Governments gave a review of the Federal Fiscal Year 2019 Community Development Block Grant project. Kelly-Weisen said work has begun on 2019 entitlement applications as they review proposals that have been submitted.

The first proposal is from Fayette Township for the Oakland Mills sewage system. The $1.8 million project would construct a ORENCO treatment plant to replace failing on-lot disposal systems. The township applied for $150,000 Community Development Block Grant to add to the previous $355,137 in CDGB funds already recieved. The township’s 2019 competitive application for the amount of $1 million dollars. That combined with the funding already in place it would leave a shortfall of just under $300,000.

Kelly-Weisen said the board has discussed going to PennVEST for a loan or grant. If a loan is acquired the cost would be passed on to the users at an estimated cost of $64 monthly fee.

“I would say at this point we’re at over 50 percent failure rate on the current septic system in that community and there is no alternative.” Bradley Kerstetter, Juniata County planning and community development director said, “The only alternative would be condemnation of those properties and that’s not an alternative.”

The second applicant is the McAlisterville Area Joint Authority for a spring project. McAlisterville residents get their water from two seperate springs. Currently these springs are running at a 100% release flow which DEP says need to be reduced to a 25% release flow. The 1930s era cast iron piping in the springs is unable to capture the portion of release water that it needs to. DEP is requiring McAlisterville to replace the aging springs with new ones that can handle the 25% flow required. McAlisterville has been given permits to carry out the project with an estimated dealine date of Septmeber 2021 for completion. The estimated project cost is $126,000.

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