Safe Water Grant to help with improvements for sewage system
BRIDGEPORT, August 26, 2010 - On Tuesday, State Representative Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery) presented Bridgeport Borough Council with a check for $1.57 million in grant money to make much needed improvements to the borough’s sewage system.
Briggs and Senator Daylin Leach (D-Delaware/Montgomery) lobbied Governor Rendell to ensure the funds would be available for the borough’s Front Street Interceptor Project and Long Term Control Plan.
“The sewage overflowing into the river and canal is a very serious problem,” Briggs said. “I am very happy that we were able to secure this grant for Bridgeport Borough. It is absolutely essential to the community and makes the riverfront even more attractive for redevelopment.”
To come into compliance with United States Environmental Protection Agency policies, the borough is under an order to complete work to address the overflow issues that plague the combined sewer during some rainstorms. If the work is not completed, the borough could face fines from the EPA.
“I am thrilled that we were able to secure this funding for Bridgeport,” Leach added. “Without this grant, the borough might not have had enough funding to complete the project.”
A $2 million grant that had originally been awarded to the borough expired in 2009 and could not be extended. Due to the efforts made by Briggs and Leach, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded a new $1,577,242 grant to Bridgeport.
With the assistance of Congressman Joe Sestak (D-Delaware/Montgomery), Federal appropriations totaling $592,000 have also been secured for the project.
Bridgeport Borough has borrowed funds to assist in paying for the remainder of the project.
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HARRISBURG, August 13, 2010 - - Unwelcome storms incessantly passed through state Sen. Daylin Leach’s 2nd Annual Kids’ Fair yesterday afternoon, but the weather did not dampen the spirits of the many children running around Elmwood Park Zoo.
While the children were off having fun with clowns and face painting, the Kids’ Fair gave parents an opportunity to learn about some of the state, federal and local programs available to help their families.
“Even though we had some weather issues to deal with, the Kids’ Fair was again a roaring success,” Leach said. “The parents received a lot of high-quality information throughout the day and the kids had a great time with the planned festivities and unplanned puddles.”
Co-sponsored by state Reps. Mike Vereb and Matt Bradford, the free yearly event benefits local families.
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