Aug 5, 2013 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – Cumberland Township supervisors announced Monday how the township plans to spend this year’s Act 13 natural gas impact fee money, which declined about $250,000 from last year.

The supervisors received $787,151 in Act 13 money this year compared to last year’s $1,039,586. The annual disbursement is based on the number of wells drilling in the municipality during the year.

The supervisors approved a spending plan, which must be reviewed by the state Public Utility Commission, that calls for spending $601,535 of the total allocation and placing the remaining $185,616, into a capital reserve fund.

Act 13 specifies how the money can be used and requires a portion of it be placed in a capital reserve fund.

Of the $601,535 that will be spent, $64,000 will be used to replace the heating and air conditioning system at the senior center; $40,000 will be used for rehabilitating homes under a county redevelopment authority housing program; $200,000 will be spent on the police department, including for officers’ salaries; $90,000 will go to the fire companies; and $50,000 will be used for park improvements.

In addition, $157,535 will be used for a new street sweeper, which the supervisors voted to purchase Monday through a state bidding program.

The supervisors acknowledged they had received written requests for Act 13 funding from the Carmichaels-Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Co. and the Carmichaels Sewage Authority. They received oral requests for Act 13 funds from Flenniken Library and the Nemacolin Sewer Authority.

Supervisor Bill Groves said those requests possibly could be considered for funding at a later time. The township also has funding requests, including one from the Carmichaels Municipal Authority, that were submitted last year, the first year of the Act 13 funding program.

Groves said changes could be made to the spending plan. He noted that the $40,000 earmarked for housing rehabilitation is contingent on the Greene County Redevelopment Authority receiving a state grant to address blighted houses. If the grant is not received the $40,000 will be available for other uses.

In other business, the supervisors approved a change order in the contract for the construction of a pavilion at Wana B Park. The supervisors last month awarded a contract for the project for $36,300 to Swede Construction.

The change order moves the completion date to Sept. 6. Money for the project came from last year’s Act 13 money.

The supervisors promoted patrolman John Bekus to sergeant, giving him a 30-cent-an-hour raise. Police Chief Craig Miller also noted the township is now accepting applications for part-time patrolmen.

The supervisors authorized Marcia Sonneborn, the township’s Community Development Block Grant coordinator, to seek bids for an emergency generator for the Nemacolin Fire Hall. This will allow the hall to be used as an emergency shelter.