A variety of revitalization, beautification and community improvement projects will receive funding through the latest distribution of Marcellus Shale grant monies.
The Lebanon County Commissioners unanimously agreed to award $228,000 in Marcellus Shale grant funding to 15 countywide projects at their meeting Thursday, April 18.
County administrator Jamie Wolgemuth said the Marcellus Shale grant allows counties to use money set aside for environmental- and recreational-related improvement and revitalization projects. The county receives money annually but distributes it to applicants every two years. The county awarded $248,000 in 2022.
“We receive funding every year, but in the past it was decided that instead of using that smaller amount every year, to let it build a bit and you can hand out some larger grants that are worthwhile,” said Wolgemuth.
The Marcellus Legacy Fund is a state grant program that distributes unconventional gas well impact fees to counties throughout the state.
Grant funds can be used for projects relating to greenways, recreational trails, open space, natural areas, community conservation and beautification, community and heritage parks, and water resource management.
The three initiatives to receive over $20,000 included two for $25,000 each and one for $24,000.
The City of Lebanon received a $25,000 grant for improvements to the Veterans’ Memorial Walkway project, including installation of new benches and ADA-compliant picnic tables, tree planting and directional signage along the walkway.
The Lebanon County Conservation District (LCCD) also received $25,000 for its Envirothon events for elementary, middle, and high school students.
The Lebanon Valley YMCA was granted $24,000 for the dredging of Camp Rocky Creek Pond in Cornwall.
Of the 12 remaining projects, 10 will receive $13,000 each.
The exceptions are the LCCD’s Swatara Creek Super Gauge project for the collection of water quality trends in Lebanon County ($14,000), and East Hanover Township ($10,000) for a roof replacement project at an existing pavilion and garage.
The following ten applicants, project titles, and project descriptions will receive $13,000 each:
- Jackson Township: Wheatland Woods Park Project – Develop a neighborhood park in the Wheatland Manor development.
- South Lebanon Township: South Hills Playground 2024 – Remove and replace the main playground at South Hills Park.
- North Lebanon Township: North Lebanon Township Parks Maintenance and Beautification Project – Plant trees and install new benches and recycling receptacles.
- North Cornwall Township: Snitz Creek Park Inclusive Playground – Purchase and install inclusive playground equipment.
- The Lebanon Valley Conservancy: Goldmine Greenway Conservation Project – Acquire deed of conservation easement on 124 acres in the area of Goldmine Road and north of Greenpoint Road.
- Cornwall Borough: Snitz Creek Park Phase 1 improvements – Add amenities to the northern and southern portions of Snitz Creek Park.
- Richland Community Association Inc. Revitalization Project – Construct a new picnic pavilion.
- Jonestown Borough: George H. Kauffman Community Park Playground Relocation/Enhancement – Purchase new playground equipment and prepare site for its installation.
- Hilltop Playground Association: Blacktop Resurfacing and Greenway Project – Mill and pave basketball courts, walking paths and common areas and add six decorative brick masonry planters.
- Richland Borough: Borough of Richland Park Revitalization Project – Install playground equipment with ADA safety surfaces, a “tot lot” (ages 2-5) and youth playground (ages 5-12).
The total price tag for all of the projects combined is nearly $2.59 million.
In a matter related to a past Marcellus Shale distribution, Richland Community Association spent $5,200 of $24,400 allocated for a sinkhole repair project. Association members asked commissioners if the balance of $19,200 could be used for other improvements, such as the re-establishment of water and electric service and landscaping around a park. Their request to reallocate funds was approved unanimously by commissioners.
During a separate action that was added to the agenda following a workshop the previous day, commissioners via a 2-1 vote approved a $150,000 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding request by the Pennsylvania Chautauqua Foundation for Soldiers Field Nature and Historical Site in Mount Gretna. Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz voted no to the request.
Read More: County commissioners vet $150,000 ARPA request for Soldiers Field project
In other county business, the commissioners voted to:
- Certify a local match so that Lebanon Transit receives financial assistance for fiscal year 2024-25. The local match, which is included in the county’s current budget, is $150,605.
- Accept 14 contract provider amendments for the Lebanon County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention department totaling $229,411 for fiscal year 2023-24. The expenditures are covered under the department’s current allocation and budget, so no additional county taxpayer dollars are needed.
- Sign a resolution to convert an existing taxable loan for a $45 million bond issued in 2014 for WellSpan to tax-exempt status, which is permitted under IRS tax regulations. The bond was to fund WellSpan projects in Lebanon, Adams, Lancaster and York counties. As of June 2024, the bond can be converted if permission is granted by all four counties. Commissioner Mike Kuhn, who is a part-time WellSpan employee, said he checked with the county solicitor and this request is not related to his employment at WellSpan, so he did not have to recuse himself from voting on the request.
- Give permission for Probation Services to apply for an Intermediate Punishment grant totaling about $180,970. (That amount is expected to change prior to the final application being filed in early May.)
- Authorize a $5,000 hotel tax grant request of a projected $8,000 budget for Historic Old Annville Day on June 8. The funding would be used for live entertainment, reenactors, advertising, traffic control and event management.
- Issue a letter of support to the Mount Gretna Art Show for the county’s participation in and recognition of the “America250PA” celebration. The letter is for the arts to support the creation of a glass mosaic mural art project that will be displayed at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center. The cost is projected to be between $17,000 and $20,000 with show officials seeking financial support from the Abbey Mural Prize at the National Academy of Design in New York City. To get financial support, art officials must have a letter of support and demonstrate that the artwork will be on display to the public.
- Provide real estate tax exemptions to four fully disabled veterans.
- Approve the minutes of their April 4 meeting, the treasurer’s report and various personnel transactions.
Concerning non-voting matters, there were two public comments of the numerous attendees in the audience at Thursday’s meeting.
Ryan Fretz, president of Friends of Governor Dick, read a statement thanking commissioners for supporting the organization’s efforts to make improvements at Governor Dick Park over the past year and noted his organization will continue to advocate for park reforms.
“Our friends group organized over concerns we have for the future of the park because we all love the park and appreciate just what a special place it is. Our hope is that one day controversies will be put behind us and we will act fully as a traditional friends group in support of the park through volunteering, programming and fundraising; until that day, we will also continue to advocate for much needed reform,” Fretz read in a prepared statement.
The other comment came from three local firefighters who are involved at the fire school concerning the deteriorating condition of the pipe that feeds water for firefighter training. The volunteers requested the county explore the issue since the school doesn’t have any funding to make repairs to the infrastructure that is showing signs of rusting.
Commission chairman Robert Phillips asked the trio to submit a brief letter highlighting their concerns and said the commissioners would invite them to a future workshop session to explain them in greater detail.
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