REEDSVILLE — The Brown Township Board of Supervisors were joined by Carol High from Susquehanna/East Central Region Economic Development Assistance Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) at Monday night’s meeting to discuss the first public hearing for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Every year Mifflin County receives an entitlement grant, part of that funding goes to non- “on behalf of” communities while the other part goes to “on behalf of” communities – Brown Township is an “on behalf of” community, according to High.

High said the estimated allocation of money has not yet been announced but is expected to be around last year’s total of $94,564.

The public hearing that took place at Monday’s meeting was the first step to a lengthy application process.

Project summaries are not due until June 2025 and project selection will not be done until Aug. 18. The final public hearing will be held on Sept. 4, and the application will not officially be submitted until Nov. 1.

According to High, there are two things to think about with CDBG projects, one is the eligibility – those would be a range of activities from infrastructure improvements, road reconstruction, water, sewers, storm system upgrades or expansions, creating or improving community centers, housing rehabilitation and public service projects. Activities not included are general operating expenses – anything considered to be maintenance activity that would duplicate a service that the government should provide.

Fundability under CDBG under National Objectives must meet one of three objectives including: principal benefit of the project to low to moderate income persons, elimination of slum or blight, or response to urgent need.

“A lot of this is being really thoughtful about defining the project scope, like what’s your goal, who’s gonna benefit, and then making a case for that,” shared High.

At Monday’s meeting, the board was tasked with the first step of this process – brainstorming possible projects that could be proposed for the CDBG grant.

As of the end of the meeting, the board discussed the Walnut Street sidewalk project, a pavilion in Reedsville Park, a walking trail from Reedsville to Derry Township Park, and air packs for the Reedsville Fire Company.

The board decided to take more time to brainstorm other possible ideas before the project selection in August.

In other business, the board:

-Received the road master’s report;

-Approved the Dairyland Hills family limited partnership settlement- agreement of sale, deed, temporary construction easement and escrow account for the T-439 Bridge project;

-Approved the declaration of taking payment for unknown owner for the T-439 Bridge project;

-Approved the reappointment of Audrey Gay Rodgers for Brown Township Municipal Authority;

-Approved the reappointment of William Rupp Jr. for Brown Township Planning Commission;

-Approved the reappointing of Bart Ewing for Brown Township Zoning Hearing Board.

The Board of Supervisors will meet again on Monday, May 5, for their regularly scheduled meeting.