POTTERS MILLS — To outsiders, it may seem like government moves at a glacial pace to get things done. But county planners and officials from Potter Township recently moved quickly to secure $1 million in funds from the state to help mitigate the cost of fixes to ongoing sewer problems in Potters Mills.
“This will be the biggest competitive application the county has ever submitted,” said Matt Milliron, senior county planner.
Milliron said because of the nature of the grants, they had not considered applying for Community Development Block Grant money. But PennVEST recently made a funding offer, and Milliron said staff has been hustling since August to have the application finished by September. The commissioners voted unanimously Sept. 26 to move the grant forward.
Some of the 53 residents in Potters Mills reported they have been dealing with wastewater problems for years. Officials said the water table is high and effluent in the septic systems at these homes can easily contaminate local water supplies. They have even tested some wells and
found contamination. There is currently no mandate from the Department of Environmental protection.
Residents and township supervisors said they are eager to get help from the county in securing $1 million from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development in block grant funds.
The grant is highly competitive, Milliron said, so there are no guarantees.
The plan calls for collecting effluent and sending it to a treatment facility. Milliron said the plan has all the required permits and is shovel ready.
