Enews Updates - August 20, 2020

In This Update:

DiSanto Announces $1.9 Million in Funding to Improve Water and Sewer Systems
Lawmakers Review Plans to Reopen Schools Safely
Hearing Highlights Debate Over Fall School Sports
Deadline to Apply for LIHEAP Recovery Crisis Grants is August 31
Be Aware of COVID-19 Scams
Reminder: Important 2020 Election Deadlines

DiSanto Announces $1.9 Million in Funding to Improve Water and Sewer Systems

This week I announced funding to improve local water and sewage treatment systems in Dauphin and Perry counties.

Safe water and reliable sewage treatment are critical for maintaining public health, quality of life, and economic development potential. This funding will help our area communities pay for crucial projects that, because of their scope, would be difficult for local ratepayers to shoulder alone.

The following grants were approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority:

Perry County

Oliver Township – $80,000

For improvements to Dock Street Sanitary Sewer Collection System. The project will construct a low-pressure sanitary sewer collection system to connect residences with existing on-lot septic systems that are in various stages of disrepair. The total project cost is $98,824. (PA Small Water & Sewer Program)

Loysville Village Municipal Authority – $150,000

For sanitary sewer lateral replacements in Tyrone Township. Most of the sewer laterals in the system were constructed from vitreous clay pipe, which are jointed and susceptible to leaks and roots. The project proposes to install cured-in-place pipe lining in approximately 20 authority-owned laterals along Sherman Valley Road. The total project cost is $181,230. (PA Small Water & Sewer Program)

Bloomfield Borough Water Authority – $320,000

For the construction of a new booster station in New Bloomfield Borough, allowing for the regionalization of two separate community public water supplies. The project will also allow for the reuse of the Carson Long Institute. The total project cost is $387,283. (PA Small Water & Sewer Program)

Duncannon Borough – $499,947

For water system improvements on North High Street and Duncannon Municipal Park on Chestnut Street. The project will address issues cited by DEP in a consent order issued to the borough. The total project cost is $999,894. (H20 PA – Water Supply, Sewer & Stormwater Program)

Dauphin County

Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority – $350,000

For the replacement of 2,100 feet of water main in Halifax Borough. It will encompass the main water transmission line from the covered reservoir on Highland Drive, onto Riverview Drive and down Market Street to the intersection with Fourth Street. The total project cost is $430,955. (PA Small Water & Sewer Program)

Elizabethville Area Authority – $500,000

To rehabilitate the existing Smith Avenue Wastewater Pumping Station in Elizabethville Borough. The project will upgrade the existing Smith Avenue Wastewater Pumping Station. The undersized and deteriorating pump station is more than 40 years old and requires frequent attention to address failing infrastructure. The total project cost is $1.2 million. (H20 PA – Water Supply, Sewer & Stormwater Program)

The funding was awarded by the Commonwealth Finance Authority through the PA Small Water and Sewer Program and the H20 PA – Water Supply, Sewer & Stormwater Program. The programs help fund the construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply system, sanitary sewer system, storm sewer system, or flood control projects.

Lawmakers Review Plans to Reopen Schools Safely

As schools throughout the state continue to refine plans to meet the educational needs of students this fall, the Senate and House Education committees held a joint hearing this week with Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine to get an update on efforts to safely reopen schools during COVID-19.

The hearing included discussion of several important topics, including questions about reopening guidance, legal liability issues, local control, mask mandates for students and recommendations on responding to COVID-19 cases.

Earlier this year, lawmakers dedicated $207 million from Pennsylvania’s share of federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) funding to help schools cover increased costs from COVID-19.

Video and testimony from the hearing are available here.

Hearing Highlights Debate Over Fall School Sports

Governor Wolf’s last-second recommendation that school sports be delayed until 2021 sparked an intense debate about whether these activities can be performed safely during COVID-19. The Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee held a hearing this week with the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and other stakeholders, including school and sports representatives, to discuss how school sports can take place safely.

PIAA Executive Director Dr. Robert Lombardi said that he believes school sports can resume this fall with proper safeguards in place to protect the health of student-athletes. He also said that a meeting with the Wolf Administration last week presented no specific medical or research reason that would suggest that participation in interscholastic sports inherently increases the risk of COVID-19.

Full video and additional details from the hearing are available here.

Deadline to Apply for LIHEAP Recovery Crisis Grants is August 31

Pennsylvanians who are struggling to pay utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic can still apply for assistance through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Recovery Crisis program. The program offers payments directly to utility companies or fuel providers for renters and homeowners who have been severely impacted by the pandemic.

The program is scheduled to end on August 31. Applications are available online or by contacting your local County Assistance Office.

Be Aware of COVID-19 Scams

The Department of Banking and Securities recently raised concerns about new scams related to COVID-19. Some of the scams involve charitable donations, fraudulent health claims, apps, advance loan fees, foreclosure bailouts and other financial fraud targeting Pennsylvania consumers. More information is available to ensure Pennsylvanians do not fall victim to any of these scams.

State residents can ask questions or file complaints about COVID-19 scams by calling 1-800-722-2657. The department previously offered tips to avoid coronavirus scams in March.

Reminder: Important 2020 Election Deadlines

Although the 2020 general election is still a few months away, it is never too early to register to vote so your voice is heard in November. The deadline to register for the November election is October 19. The graphic above includes several other important deadlines for Pennsylvania voters.