Dec 8, 2014 2 min read

WAYNEBURG – Franklin Township supervisors Monday voted to create a capital improvement fund and adopted an ordinance to close Cherry Alley in the North Waynesburg plan of lots.

The capital improvement fund will be used to pay for infrastructure improvements such as sewer and water line extensions, supervisor Reed Kiger said.

The township has not had a capital fund for several years but has been using its Community Development Block Grant money for infrastructure improvements.

CDBG money, however, can only be used for projects that benefit low- and moderate-income residents. As part of the program, the township is required to survey residents who will benefit from a proposed project to make sure a certain percentage meet the CDBG guidelines for low or moderate income households.

The new capital improvement fund will be used to cover the costs of projects in other areas of the county that may not be eligible for CDBG funding, Kiger said.

The supervisors plan to start the fund with $100,000 that will be included in the budget they will adopt Dec. 22. The supervisors approved a tentative budget last month that does not require a tax increase.

The supervisors also adopted a motion closing Cherry Alley.

The alley will be vacated between Route 19 and East Alley and between East Alley and Hiland Avenue, which previously was vacated, said Steve Coss, township code officer.

All adjoining property owners were notified of the closing by certified mail and none objected to the action, Coss said.