County Liquid Fuel Amounts Awarded

By Jonathan Weaver

More than a dozen local communities will be able to utilize County funds to upgrade roads, crosswalks and culverts this year.

Planning and Development Executive Director Rich Palilla gave the update at Thursday’s county commissioners meeting.

“Each year as Liquid Fuels funds are available, the County invites municipalities to apply for County aid – this year, we received 26 applications from our local municipalities, requesting a total of $322,000

“That was over twice the amount of the available funds.”

Because of that, County Planning and Development staff had to scrutinize each applicant based on the local matching funds municipalities could dedicate, the local impact of the projects proposed and the traffic in the project area, as well as the likelihood if the project could be completed within the project year.

“There were a couple very good projects submitted – they’re just not ready to go and be completed this year,” Palilla said.

Commissioner Chair David Battaglia read that the 14 municipalities selected include:

$8,100 for crosswalk safety improvements in Apollo Borough
$9,190 for culvert replacements along Grantz Hollow Road in Bethel Township
$15,000 for road improvements to Phillips Street in Brady’s Bend Township
$2,690 for the paving of South 3rd Alley in Elderton Borough
$15,000 for the paving of Main Street and Old Pike Road in Freeport Borough
$15,000 for the paving of Deerwood Manor, Laurel Way and Locust Street in Kiskiminetas Township
$11,091 for a guiderail project along Graham Road in Kittanning Township
$2,495 for culvert replacement on Kohlersburg Road in Mahoning Township
$15,000 for paving of Center Lane in Manorville Borough
$5,000 for pipe replacement on Village Road in Plumcreek Township
$12,985 for oil and chipping along Crossroads Road in Redbank Township
$15,000 for an underdrain project along Beagle Club Road in Sugarcreek Township
$15,000 for road improvements to Nixon Avenue in West Kittanning Borough, and $15,000 for the paving of Pine, South Cherry and Maple Street and Long’s Circle in Worthington Borough.

Since the inception of the program, the County has awarded more than $950,000 for projects in 38 municipalities in Armstrong County, according to Planning Coordinator Tom Swisher.

Commissioner Battaglia also mentioned that a workshop might be held in the future with leaders from all municipalities so they can better understand the application process

Commissioners also formally authorized a cooperative agreement and the usage of more than $79,000 in 2013 Community Development Block Grant funds toward a water line replacement project along Oakwood Avenue in North Apollo Borough.

The project will be completed along with the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County – which will also dedicate more than $19,000 toward the project.

New leasing agreements were made at the current rate between the Armstrong County Area Agency on Aging and their respective lease holders to keep the Kittanning and Elderton Senior Centers operational.

Seniors may visit the Elderton Senior Center, which occupies the Towne Hall along Route 422 Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, for at least the next three years and the Kittanning Senior Center along South Water Street for at least the next two, with annual options to renew.

Executive Director Janet Talerico said leasing rates have not increased since 2008 and both were reviewed by County Solicitor Chase McClister.