East Franklin Moves Forward on Sewer Project Extensions

The East Franklin Township Supervisors voted, during a meeting held last week, to apply for an H20-PA grant that could help them to extend their current sewer project to residents in need.

by Nathan Lasher

Yesterday evening, the East Franklin Township Supervisors voted to pass a resolution to apply for an H20-PA grant that, if received, will allow them to extend their sewer project to outlying areas that were not included in the original plan.

After concerned residents of East Franklin regularly attended meetings beginning in January and petitioned the Supervisors to extend the project,

During a meeting held in March, Township Engineer Ken Howard announced that the areas included in his extension study included the area from the uphill side of Adrian up to Montgomery Road, Baer Road which is in the Cowansville/Worthington Road area, Ridge road, along route 268 north of Montgomery Road from the Township Building at Furnace Run just north of the Rolling Hills Road area, and along Route 4006 out of Adrian.

“We are required to have an official resolution passed by the board to make application for an H20 grant,” said Howard during yesterday’s meeting. “We have prepared that resolution, so we will be needing your official motion to approve the resolution. We don’t have our estimates finalized yet for all of those extension areas. This grant is being applied for to cover all of the extensions that we have discussed in the past. These include customers in Cowansville and Adrian. We would need that motion for tonight, and then, as well, to go with this application, once we have all of the paperwork and the maps prepared, there is a check required for that application fee of $100.”

The motion was made and seconded by Supervisors Dave Stewart and Doug Flanders; it passed unanimously.

“All of the proposed areas that were discussed beyond the initial scope of the project; that’s what we are applying for,” said Flanders. “Whether we get some, all, or none remains to be seen.”

Supervisor Barry Peters commented that there is only $175 million still available in grant money.  

“There’s not a lot of money left, but if we don’t ask then we won’t get any,” said Howard. “So, we have to ask.”

At the end of the meeting, Flanders directed a comment toward Jeremy Dias, Senator Don White’s Field Representative working out of his Kittanning Office.

Flanders directed toward Don White’s Field Representative working out of his Kittanning office, Jeremy Dias. “We would appreciate any influence you can have over that project,” said Flanders. “There are residents in this Township that would like have those extensions.”

“Unfortunately, with the reality right now of what’s left, hopefully, something will happen,” replied Dias. “We’ll do everything in our power to try and put a good word in there and help you out.”

Flanders ended the conversation with a positive comment on the future state of the Township. “If we could get those areas sewers, after we get Butler Road done and Furnace Run, two years from now, we’ll be in good shape,” he said.