Plans for pool at Malta Park rejected

Granville Township Supervisors discuss CDBG funding

GRANVILLE -- Plans for a pool to be built at Malta Park were denied during this month's Granville Township Supervisors meeting as Carol High of SEDA-COG explained that it would surpass funds being allocated to Granville Township for such a project.

High told supervisors Monday she visited the park, and feels it would qualify to receive funds for other projects to make the park better and more accessible for the community.

Monday's meeting was considered the second public hearing to discuss Community Development Block Grant funding, which is being administered through SEDA-COG.

"Eligible projects are usually infrastructure water projects, sewer projects, stormwater projects, bridge replacement projects and other projects that could benefit the entire community," said High.

To find out if something qualifies, the board must consider who the project benefits, she explained -- for example Lewistown Borough is considered low-to-moderate income so, improvements to Rec Park primarily benefits those families and are therefore automatically qualified for projects done within the park.

"Malta Park, however, is more difficult to figure out who the beneficiaries are as it is close to the village of Granville and only 10 miles from Lewistown Borough," said High.

"People outside of Mifflin County also travel to the park."

She said a survey would need to be performed on the park and she didn't feel the current floodway, the slopes and access would make it feasible to add a pool.

Additionally, she said, the Township is expected to receive less than $100,000 through CDBG funding, while a pool is estimated to cost between $750,000 and $1 million.

But while on location High noted there were other projects they could take on to make the park more accessible for wheelchairs.

"If someone in a wheelchair parks at either top parking areas they will not be able to get to fishing areas, the pavilions or even the playground to watch their grandkids play."

Another proposal that was brought to the table after the meeting last month was supplying the Junction Fire House with breathing apparatus air packs that could cost roughly $8,600.

They will survey residents in the area surrounding the Junction Fire Company to evaluate if they are low to moderate income families and if so it could qualify.

The CDBG board opted to move forward with this survey to see if that qualifies.

In other news Brian Bloom, of the EADS Group shared that the 333 Sewer Extension Project will be receiving power from Penelec on July 16 to their pump stations with start-up planned for July 31.