Hemlock Township - Announcements Follow-up

Announcements, continued from Page 1...

Federal Community Development Block Grants Awarded

Hemlock Township has again been awarded Federal Community Development Block Grants this year. The Township was awarded $26,000 for paving work on a portion of Hemlock Street and for sidewalks along Walnut and Bloom Streets in Fernville. Because CDBG grants have strict qualifications, the areas where this money can be used are limited. We appreciate the cooperation of residents in gathering the required information to demonstrate eligibility for these grants.

Federal Stimulus funding update

All Federal stimulus money allocated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for roadway improvements has been directed to PENNDOT, with nothing directed toward individuals municipalities. However, we are in contact with PENNDOT representatives to ask them to consider funding improvements to Lunger Drive. We had hoped to place Lunger Drive on the list of paving projects noted below, but due to PENNDOT’s bridge work over Creek Road, the heavy traffic on Lunger Drive precludes us from placing pavement which will certainly be torn up and damaged within months. We are hopeful that PENNDOT may consider paving that road through stimulus funding to an additional depth that is sufficient to carry such heavy loads. Please consider contacting Senator John Gordner and Representative David Millard to ask them to place pressure on PENNDOT to fund this project through the stimulus package.

Summer, 2009 Paving Projects

The Township is pleased to announce that we will be taking advantage of the recent decline in oil prices to accomplish some deferred road improvements. We plan to borrow approximately $300,000 to pave a number of areas that have been trouble spots over the last few years, including Pony Trail Road (from Schoolhouse to Crooked Stick and from Service Lane up to the farm), Service Lane (from Schoolhouse to Pony Trail), Hedge Row Road, and a portion of Guys Lane from Dutch Hill Road.

2009 Dust Control

In recent years, it has become clear that oil and chip, a surface generally used for dust control, is causing more problems than actual “control.” While some have enjoyed the harder surface it provides, particularly when it thickens over a few years, recent weather conditions (particularly freezing and thawing) have demonstrated that it’s too unpredictable, and often leaves larger, more problematic potholes and is difficult to repair and manage. Therefore, we plan to treat problem areas with a liquid binding agent (one of the newer technologies available today), which should help to control dust without changing the surface of the road. We will appreciate your feedback after the summer season.