Franklin to consider uses for CDBG funds
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
WAYNESBURG – Franklin Township supervisors will be considering how best the township can use its annual allocation of Community Development Block Grant money.
The supervisors held the township’s first public hearing Monday on the use of the 2013 CDBG funds. No residents were in attendance to offer any suggestions.
The supervisors have not yet determined how the money will be used. Rob Kuchar, the township’s CDBG coordinator, said a second public hearing will be held once the funds use has been determined by the supervisors.
CDBG money can be spent on activities, including improvements to public facilities, infrastructure, housing and recreational facilities, street and road improvements and planning activities. The money must be used to benefit low- and moderate-income residents.
Kuchar said the township has not yet been informed about how much money it will receive this year, though he believes it would probably be about $100,000. The township also has about $140,000 left from previous grants, he said.
Last year, the township used the money to fund construction of a water line on North Liberty Street. Part of that project also was paid for by Alpha Natural Resources. It used the previous year’s funds to extend a sewer line on Sugar Run Road.
In other business, the supervisors awarded the final four contracts for road materials and equipment for the township’s summer road projects. All contracts went to low bidders.
As in the past, the supervisors sought separate bids for materials, labor and equipment rental and for “in place” application, which includes materials, equipment and labor.
This allows the township to award a contract for a complete project, with the contractor providing labor, equipment and materials or to purchase materials separately and award another contract for the labor and equipment to apply the materials.
The supervisors award contracts this way to save money. The township is often able to purchase materials cheaper than a contractor because it does not have to pay the 6 percent sales tax.