Published: February 09, 2009 11:42 pm      

Cambria Township OKs two water, sewer projects

EBENSBURG — Unaffected so far by federal spending cuts, Cambria Township will continue its water and sewer systems improvements this year.

The township is one of four county municipalities that designates how its “entitlement” under the federal Community Development Block Grant program will be spent.

In 2009, the township will receive $115,000, which is mandated to be spent on low-income needs.

After a public hearing, township supervisors on Monday gave final approval to two infrastructure projects.

In Colver, the Long Avenue water project will continue, tying in 7th, 6th and 5th streets.

That project has been advertised and bids will be opened later this month, block grant director Larry Custer told supervisors.

The second project will be a feasibility study of public water and sewer along Municipal Road.

The study will be financed from administrative funds, Custer said.

Those two projects are expected to use up the 2009 funds, but beyond that his office will be ready for more project ideas, he said.

Supervisors Chairman Robert “Buzzy” Shook said he’s optimistic about more federal funding.

“There’s been a lot of talk about infrastructure, so we’ll see,” he said.

But Custer cautioned that if there is federal funding, it will be for projects that are “shovel ready.”

In the past, most community development funds have been used for sewer and water improvements.

In 2007, improvements were made in the village of Revloc.

Public hearings will be held in the other municipalities throughout the month