May 21, 2015 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Projects that involve making improvements to water and sewer systems and repairing a community center were among those cited by municipal officials Wednesday in requesting funding from Greene County’s Community Development Block Grant program.

Municipal officials made their pitches at the first of two public hearings the county holds each year on its use of CDBG money. The hearing followed the commissioners’ regular agenda meeting.

Although the county was not told what it will receive for 2015, it is estimating it will get $200,000, in line with past years, said Crystal Simmons, grant coordinator for the county Department of Economic Development.

CDBG money is federal money channeled to county and local municipalities through the state Department of Community and Economic Development. It must be used for projects that primarily benefit low- to moderate-income residents.

Much of the county’s CDBG money during the past few years has been used for water and sewage improvements, Simmons said.

Five municipalities made requests for money for projects in their communities, Simmons said. Officials from three of the municipalities attended the hearing Wednesday and two others submitted requests in writing, she said.

Bill Monahan, Monongahela Township supervisor, requested money for two projects: one for water system improvements for the Dunkard Valley Joint Municipal Authority and the other to update pumps at the Greensboro-Monongahela Township Sewer Authority.

The Dunkard Valley authority has had problems with its system and must replace old lines that have been a source of constant leaks.

“We’ve got major leaks,” said Vic Shine, a member of the authority who also attended the hearing. Because of water loss due to leaks, the authority is now paying $10,000 to $12,000 a month just to buy water from another system to provide water for its customers, he said.

Randy Watson of Thrasher Engineering, the authority’s engineer, said the money would be used to have flow meters installed in the lines to locate major leaks and to replace “gate,” or shutoff valves on the main line and residential meters.

In regard to the sewer authority, Monahan said, the authority engineer is now investigating needed updates to the pumps. The authority serves Greensboro Borough and the Glassworks, Mapletown and Cabbage Flats areas of the township.

Keith Golden, Greene Township supervisor, requested money to help the township make repairs to the township community building, a former school across from the post office.

The building is frequently used by the public but has to be repaired and brought into compliance with Americans with Disability Act requirements, he said.

Golden said the township could use a “little help” with money to replace the building’s main entrance. The current entrance and porch is in poor condition and not ADA compliant, he said.

The township already has replaced the gutters and downspouts on the building and plans to complete other work in stages, including installing a drop ceiling and updating the restrooms and heating systems, he said.

Gretchen Henderson, representing Whiteley Township, requested money for the extension of a water line on Kirby Road. Henderson said about 10 to 12 houses along the road have problems with their water because of mining in the area.

Written requests also were made by Perry Township for a water line extension on Shrivers Hill Road and by the Dry Tavern Sewer Authority for a sewer line extension project.

The second public hearing on the funds will be held later in the year, Simmons said. Once the project are reviewed to determine if they eligible for funding under the program and a second hearing is held, the commissioners will decided which projects will receive funding.