Unity seeks grants for handicapped-accessible play equipment, paving village streets

Unity’s latest wish list of projects includes handicapped-accessible playground equipment outside the township office complex and paving streets in three villages.

The supervisors on Thursday agreed to submit those four prioritized projects for potential funding through 2021 Community Development Block Grant dollars made available by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by Westmoreland County.

The supervisors gave top priority to the playground equipment, followed, in order, by paving of up to three streets in Marguerite, an undetermined number of streets near the fire hall in Lloydsville and up to nine streets in Whitney.

Supervisor Mike O’Barto said three roads in Marguerite were paved with the assistance of CDBG funding more than two decades ago.

“Lloydsville hasn’t been paved in years and Whitney hasn’t been paved in years,” he said.

Township engineer Dan Schmitt noted applications for next year’s block grant program are due Sept. 30, but Unity is awaiting word from county officials on the eligibility of each of the projects.

O’Barto asked the township to commit to funding the playground equipment, regardless of whether a block grant is approved.

“I want to make sure that we still prioritize this project,” he said. “It’s very meaningful. There is not one playground in the Greater Latrobe area that has any of this equipment. It would be the first of its kind.”

Schmitt said playgrounds in general have not been a high priority for block grant funding in the past, but he noted the fact that the Unity equipment would benefit handicapped residents.

The township is waiting for release of a previous block grant to complete a handicapped-accessible walkway around the lake adjacent to the township building, likely next year. A state grant is being sought to construct a fishing pier on the lake that would be adapted for handicapped use.

Depending on the county’s response, Schmitt said, the township may need to conduct a door-to-door survey to establish income qualifications for the paving projects. According to federal requirements, at least 51% of those benefiting from each approved block grant project must meet low- to moderate-income guidelines.

In past years, he said, certain areas of the township were pre-qualified for the income standard. But, he said, “These pre-qualification areas are going by the wayside.”

Schmitt wasn’t sure about the level of funding that may be available for township block grant projects next year.

He said Unity is at the beginning of a three-year block grant funding cycle. Normally, county and township officials would huddle to discuss potential projects, but that hasn’t occurred this year because of social distancing during the covid-19 pandemic, Schmitt said.

Airpark paving approved

The township awarded a $52,100 contract to low bidder Tresco Paving for completing a top course of pavement on Bay Hill Drive, the main street providing access to lots in the Phase II section of the Westmoreland County Airpark.

The Westmoreland County Industrial Development Authority, which is developing the industrial park off Route 981, will reimburse the township for costs associated with the contract bidding and inspection.

Trick-or-treating tentative

The supervisors set 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31 as a tentative trick-or-treating time in the township, depending on the status of the covid-19 pandemic.

O’Barto said the supervisors will revisit that date at their October meeting.