From staff reports
Three local infrastructure projects will share $1.3 million in state grant funds from the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
The state grants will benefit Knox Township-Clarion County Municipal Authority, $800,000; Clarion Borough, $391,053; and New Bethlehem Borough, $137,071.
The first project is funded through the H2O PA program for water supply, sewer and stormwater, and the latter projects’ funding is part of the PA Small Water and Sewer Program.
In Knox Township, the grant will be used to construct a public sewer system for 70 properties in Lucinda. Currently, most properties have an on-lot system which can directly discharge into local streams and creeks. Specifically, the project will entail a conventional gravity sewer collection system and a new sewage treatment plan.
The total project cost is just over $3 million, with $1.6 million coming from funding through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority.
“Infrastructure projects like these aren’t always exciting, but they’re necessary and often very costly. This state assistance will help minimize the cost to local residents,” said state Sen. Scott Hutchinson.
For the Clarion project, the funding will pay for the upgrades to the stormwater system, which is deteriorating due to age, leading to debris collection and causing backups and sinkholes. The work will take place along Tippin Drive, Sunset Drive, Whitehall Place and Boundary Street.
In New Bethlehem, the grant will fund the removal of a gravel bar in Red Bank Creek that has led to significant flooding from Leasure Run. The borough will put nearly $25,000 toward the cost of the final project.
Oberlander noted that this round included many worthy projects for consideration, and that made the selection process difficult for the CFA board.