FEBRUARY 2, 2005

                                                                WAYNESBORO, PA 17268

                                                                PUBLIC HEARING RE: 2005 CDBG                                                                       PROGRAM

Council President Charles McCammon called the public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. with the following in attendance:

Borough Council Members – Richard George, C. Harold Mumma, John Cook, Charles McCammon, Ardie Winters and Andrew Benchoff

          Mayor Louis M. Barlup, Jr.

          Borough Staff – Lloyd R. Hamberger, II, Borough Manager

                     D. Lloyd Reichard, II, Borough Solicitor

          Others – Erik Genga, Mullin & Lonergan Associates, Inc.

Mr. McCammon stated that the purpose of the hearing was to provide an opportunity for citizens to comment on proposed uses for the Fiscal Year 2005 State Community Development Block Grant Program funds and on the prior use of such funds.

Erik Genga, a representative of Mullin & Lonergan Associates, Inc., the Borough’s Community Development Block Grant consultants, was present to explain the program and answer any questions. He noted that this is the first of two required public hearings for the CDBG program. CDBG funds have been used by the Borough for several years now and will continue to be used in the future. He explained the three main objectives for the funding – 1. Urgent need items that immediately threaten life and safety; 2. Slum and blight (the area needs to be certified); and 3. Low/moderate income (any service or programs in areas that are certified to be low/moderate income).

The Borough of Waynesboro’s 2005 allocation will be $184,783.00, which is a slight decline from last year. Mr. Genga explained that there was an across-the-board decline in HUD funding which impacted all communities and states.

The Borough’s traditional uses for CDBG funding have been street improvements, housing rehabilitation, the downtown facade improvement program, and a variety of other uses.

Council President McCammon asked for comments from the public on proposed uses – there were none.

Borough Manager Lloyd Hamberger reported that his office has received three (3) written requests for funding, as follows:

          1.      Helping Hands with Hearts - $18,000 (to make needed repairs and improvements to homes of the poor, aged, disabled and underprivileged.)

          2.      Communities That Care - $2,370 (for a parenting program)

          3.      New Hope Shelter - $3,000 (recreational deck).

Marilyn Smith, 12365 Wedgewood Drive, was present to represent Communities That Care. She explained that parenting classes are currently offered through the Waynesboro Area School District, and those have proven to be very successful. She explained that they would like to expand their program to offer classes to low and moderate income families who reside at the Hawbaker Avenue Development.

Councilman George questioned if any surveys had been conducted to determine interest among the residents. Mrs. Smith noted that no surveys have been conducted, but she would like to speak to their citizens group regarding the classes, and the Franklin County Housing Authority has agreed to provide flyers to all of the families.

Mrs. Smith explained that money for the school’s program was obtained through the Department of Health and various state/federal grants. Mayor Barlup requested that Communities That Care budget information be provided for Council’s review. He also questioned if the Housing Authority had been approached about providing funding for these classes. Mrs. Smith stated she feels that Waynesboro should “buy into” the program in an attempt to help these people.

Bill Crouse, 344 Clayton Avenue – is affiliated with the New Hope Shelter, but spoke on behalf of Communities That Care. He agreed that parenting is a tremendous need, especially in the low and moderate income sectors. He added that transportation is also difficult for these individuals, and they tend to feel more comfortable within their “own group”.

Councilman George reiterated his concern regarding the unknown interest level for these classes. Mrs. Smith noted that she will attempt to obtain information regarding the interest, and will forward it to Borough Council.

Erik Genga noted that the Borough must hold a second hearing (during Council’s first meeting in March), when they will propose uses for the 2005 funding. The application must then be submitted to DCED by April 8^th.

Bill Crouse, representing the New Hope Shelter, explained their request for an open-air deck at their facility. He stated that it is very important to the residents of the shelter that they have an area when they can smoke and still be near their children. The deck would be fire-proof, at the second-story level, and would protrude to the property line. He can provide architectural drawings for Council’s review, if they so desire.

Hearing no further comments from the public or Council, the hearing adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

                                                                Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                Melinda S. Knott

                                                                Administrative Assistant