Catharine Does Not Qualify For USDA Grants

To qualify for a USDA grant, the median income of an area has to equal around $50,000. Catharine Township supervisors announced during last Thursday’s meeting that the township is not eligible for a grant because the median income was too high to qualify. Supervisors read the email from SPUR LLC, which showed the median income is slightly above the USDA threshold, which disqualifies them for a grant for a new truck for the township. It was then suggested that the township try to obtain a loan for the truck. No further discussion was held.

Ganister resident Linda Houck attended to ask for updates in regard to the Ganister sewer project. Houck did research for the township with the numbers of vacant properties in the Ganister area, which the Township needs to qualify for Community Development Block Grants. She said she also talked with Borough Manager Joe Lansberry in regard to grinder pumps and who was responsible for the care of them. At the last meeting, Dave Cunningham with Keller Engineers said that the authority would take responsibility for the grinder pumps for any damage or repairs, but Lansberry’s answer said otherwise.

The township received its second round of American Rescue Plan funding, totaling over $35,000. Chairman Heather Flaig made a motion to add this money to the supplemental budget for 2022. The motion passed. There was no word on where the money would be spent.

Roadmaster Michael Fay was absent from the meeting, but left a report for the supervisors. Fay said he would like the township to solicit bids to finish blacktopping Etna Furnace Road, which is currently half of the way completed. Brenneman made the motion to advertise for bids. The motion passed.

Flaig made a motion to adopt the LERTA ordinance and to accept the LERTA meeting minutes that was held on Aug. 29. Ken Brenneman seconded the motion. The motion passed.