MARCH 18, 2009

                                                                WAYNESBORO, PA 17268

                                                                PUBLIC HEARING RE: 2009 CDBG PROGRAM

Council President Craig Newcomer called the public hearing to order at 7:21 p.m. (immediately following Council’s workshop which began at 6:45 p.m.) with the following in attendance:

Borough Council Members – Benjamin Greenawalt, Jason Stains, C. Harold Mumma, Craig Newcomer, Charles McCammon and Ronald Martin

          Mayor Richard Starliper

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

                     Denny Benshoff, Maintenance Superintendent

                     Dan Sheffler, Zoning-Code Enforcement Officer

                     Kevin Grubbs, Head of Engineering Services

                     Melissa Dively, Borough Solicitor (Salzmann Hughes, PC)

                     Dave Martin, Fire Chief

                     Mark King, Police Chief

Mr. Newcomer noted that the purpose of the hearing was to provide an opportunity for citizens to comment on proposed uses for the Fiscal Year 2009 State Community Development Block Grant Program funds and on the prior use of such funds.

Erik Jenga (a representative of Mullin and Lonergan Associates, the Borough’s CDBG consultants) was present to explain the program and answer any questions. He began by stating that this is one (1) of two (2) required public hearings for the CDBG program, a program provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered through the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. The funds are designed to meet one (1) of three (3) criteria – benefit to low/moderate income individuals, address slum and blight, and emergency uses. (He noted that emergency uses are not typically done, because they are difficult to qualify.) Slum and blight can be addressed on a “spot” basis or Borough-wide basis, as a re-development plan was done several years ago which qualified the Borough to utilize funds to address these issues.

Mr. Jenga noted that funding has been “going down” slightly each year, but this year’s allocation is estimated to be approximately $159,000. The application deadline is May 8^th. He added that a wide variety of projects are available to be done, and this forum allows the public an opportunity to make requests and voice their opinions. The second required public hearing will establish what projects the Borough intends to do.

Questions/comments were requested from the public. There being none, Councilman Martin asked if any areas have been qualified and targeted in which to do street paving projects. Mr. Hamberger noted that an area in the northeast part of town has been qualified as eligible, and he would recommend that several streets be considered for paving and/or rebuilding. Kevin Grubbs added that he will present project estimates for discussion at the next Street Committee meeting.

Mr. Hamberger explained that the projects designated in this application will be completed next year. In the past, the Borough has done projects relating to handicapped accessibility, downtown redevelopment and streets. As no funding requests have been received yet for this year’s program, he anticipates they will do “more of the same”. He proposed that the next required CDBG hearing be held on the second Wednesday in April. In the meantime, he and Mr. Jenga will review previous years’ grants to determine if any funds can be re-allocated and “used up”.

Hearing no further comments, the hearing was closed at 7:28 p.m.

                                                                Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                Melinda S. Knott

                                                                Administrative Assistant