Half-Million Dollar Stormwater Grant in Limbo

Last month, township leaders were optimistic about getting a $500,000 state grant to fund upgrades to several stormwater facilities.

Now they just don't know about that big of an infusion of cash.

“The grant is being held up while the governor decides what he wants to cut,” Supervisors Chairwoman Lola Biuckians said at Tuesday's board meeting.

For that reason, Biuckians continued, the township can only prioritize two projects – repairing two culverts under Strathman Drive. One is near Mill Creek Road and the other is near Churchville Road, and each is expected to cost $210,000.

The township has about $477,000 in its stormwater capital reserve fund.

The supervisors approved a motion Tuesday to hire Tri State Engineers, of Feasterville, for that culvert design work.

After the meeting, Township Manager Joe Golden said the culverts are in serious need of repair, and Township Engineer Wayne Kiefer said they are both at least 40 years old.

Other projects that won't get immediate attention without the state grant are:

--improving drainage and replacing undersized storm pipes in the Carolyn Drive/Marge Drive area, with a 2010 estimated cost of $120,000;

--improving runoff through the community center property onto adjacent properties

– work on the Charles St. basin to make it retain more water; and

– work at 393 County Line Road to make that an area for stormwater storage.

Golden said he is still optimistic of moving ahead with a stormwater management project at 1579 Bustleton Pike with township labor. That way, he said, the project would cost about $27,000 rather than $96,000 if a contractor were to be hired.