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Legislative Update |
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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In this update
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Investing in the Future: $1.24 Million in grants for Community Growth |
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Exploring Solutions with Home Care Providers |
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Honoring the Fallen: Remembering Our Heroes on Memorial Day |
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Patchwork Progress |
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Investing in the Future: $1.24 Million in grants for Community Growth
Last week, I announced the district will be receiving more than $1.2 million in Local Share Account (LSA) grants that will drive economic growth, community enhancement and public benefit initiatives.
LSA grants are funded through gaming revenue under Act 71 of 2004 and are an investment in projects that will have a lasting impact on our communities without burdening local taxpayers. These investments strengthen our neighborhoods, improve quality of life, and ensure that vital improvements don’t come at the expense of local taxpayers.
The grants will fund projects in the following communities:
• Edwardsville - $150,000 for resurfacing and related work for improving several streets in the borough. In addition to repaving, this project will install ADA ramps at intersections and make grade adjustments to inlets and manholes. Improvements will address safety concerns for motorists and pedestrians.
• Fairview Township - $60,000 for a maintenance vehicle. The current vehicle is constantly needing repairs, resulting in unnecessary costs and expenses. A new vehicle will save the township money and free up funds to use for other projects. The township will use the vehicle for maintaining streets and the community park.
• Hanover Township - $50,000 for mural paintings and $250,000 for road resurfacing. The township, on behalf of the Street Art Society of NEPA (SAS NEPA), requested a grant for painting four murals in Hanover Township, Luzerne County. Local artists will paint the murals on commercial buildings in high-traffic areas along Sans Souci Parkway and Carey Avenue. The proposed mural locations are at 858, 1257, 1490 and 1381 Sans Souci Parkway. The LSA grant will cover the cost of professional services, equipment and supplies, and administrative costs.
The township also secured an LSA grant for resurfacing Division and Liberty streets.
The work scope includes full-depth milling, base replacement and installation of a new wearing layer of asphalt to Division and Liberty streets, from Cherry Street to Spring Street. The resurfacing will create safer travel conditions, and the grant will help pay construction, engineering and administrative costs.
• Larksville Borough - $30,000 to replace HVAC units at the municipal building, and $20,000 for improvements to the American Legion 655 banquet hall. The new HVAC units will replace antiquated equipment at the municipal building and improve energy efficiency.
The borough also secured an LSA grant on behalf of American Legion Post 655 for HVAC improvements at the Legion’s Banquet Hall. Four ductless heat pump systems with outdoor condensing units, indoor air handlers and all necessary controls, electrical work and piping will be installed as part of the project. The work will make the banquet hall energy efficient.
• Nanticoke City - $176,000 for structural improvements to a concrete wall and parking area at city hall. City hall serves more than 10,600 residents and houses the city police department and magisterial court. The rear parking area of the city hall building has an open grate parking area that has been barricaded due to structural issues. Additionally, the existing concrete wall is showing signs of spalling concrete and has continued to deteriorate over the last several years. The grant will cover the cost of rebuilding sections of the concrete wall and constructing a concrete parking area where the grate currently exists. The LSA grant will help cover engineering, construction and administrative costs.
• Newport Township - $60,000 for for the Glen Lyon sidewalk and steps program on Grove Street.
• Plymouth Borough - $40,000 to build a new playground on a borough-owned lot at Church and Eno streets. The project will improve this centrally located site by constructing a playground for public use. The grant will help to design and build the playground and purchase and install equipment.
• Rice Township - $61,987 for stormwater and roadway repairs. The work includes base repair, paving and milling of several miles of road in the Laurel Lakes development. When completed, the project will make travel in the development safe and encourage development of unoccupied land. LSA funds will be used for construction, administrative and engineering costs.
• Wright Township - $350,000 for road repair on Terrace Drive and Oak Drive. The township plans to repair 0.5 miles of Terrace Drive and 0.36 miles of Oak Drive. Deteriorating conditions, including significant cracks and potholes, are a danger to residents and have damaged public works equipment. Immediate intervention is necessary to avoid more costly repairs in the future. The project will include milling and overlaying road surfaces, adding aggregate to shoulders, adjusting utility valve boxes, implementing traffic control measures, partially reconstructing driveway aprons, and installing a new base and wearing course.
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Exploring Solutions with Home Care Providers
I recently met with representatives from Allied Services and the Papsun Family, who advocated for a larger investment in Pennsylvania’s Home Care Industry. The group shared their personal experiences, as well as challenges they and their patients are faced with daily. The discussion was productive and offered meaningful insights into the key issues currently affecting the industry. I will continue examining all avenues to address these important concerns.
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Honoring the Fallen: Remembering Our Heroes on Memorial Day
We took time on Memorial Day to remember and honor those who selflessly laid down their lives in service to our country, heroes like 20-year-old Edward R. Francis of Plymouth. Edward served with the 393rd Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, as a Technical Sergeant, Technician Fifth Class – a rank created to recognize soldiers with exceptional technical skills. Edward was killed in action during the brutal Battle of The Bulge in World War II. He died on Dec. 17, 1944, in Belgium.
His family was notified through a faded Western Union telegram that still bears the weight of that heartbreaking message, “I am deeply distressed to inform you … your son… has been killed in action… The Secretary of War asks that I express his deep sympathy in your loss.”
On Monday, we remembered Edward Francis and all the brave men and women who gave everything for our country. We are forever in their debt.
I’d like to thank Plymouth Historical Society for researching this tribute to a local fallen hero from our district.
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Patchwork Progress
Although Church Street between Larksville and Edwardsville is scheduled for full resurfacing next summer, we requested crews take a look at deteriorating conditions in the meantime. PennDOT crews recently completed some much-needed repairs!
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Upcoming Document Shredding and Electronic Recycling Event
When: Saturday, August 9, 10:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m.
Where: Crestwood High School Parking Lot (281 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, 18707)
Residents are invited to take advantage of this no-cost document shredding service, which offers a safe and secure way to dispose of personal paperwork such as old magazines, taxes, and bank statements. Each vehicle is limited to three boxes of documents for shredding.
An electronics recycling program will also be available on-site, handled by a third-party recycling company based in Berwick. This service helps keep electronics out of landfills and prevents illegal dumping.
Free recycling includes:
• Computers (laptops and desktops)
• Smartphones and tablets
• Printers and office phones
• Video game consoles
• Modems, routers, and hard drives
• Cameras, DVD players, VCRs
• Audio/video equipment
• Power tools and small appliances
• Wires, chargers, and memory cards
Items accepted for a small fee include:
• LCD monitors
• Televisions
• Floor copiers
This event is open to the public and will be held rain or shine.
Please contact my offices in Nanticoke, at 570-902-4082, or Mountain Top, at 570-403-2371, with any questions.
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More Ways We Can Help
Residents and businesses can take advantage of a range of free services provided by my office.
Notary Public:
Our office offers notary services except title work. Anyone interested in this free service must have a valid, current photo identification available. Please call the office to schedule your appointment.
Veterans’ services:
Each month, veterans can schedule appointments with representatives from the Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Department of Pennsylvania for help with government benefits.
Disability-related services:
Individuals with disabilities can schedule appointments with the Northeast PA Center for Independent Living (MyCIL) to receive assistance with home and community-based services, transportation, housing, and more services.
Small Business Assistance:
Wilkes University Small Business and Development Center offers confidential consultation on a one-on-one basis for owners of small businesses.
SEPTA:
My office can assist residents who wish to obtain or renew SEPTA Senior Fare cards.
Free Fishing Tackle Loan Program:
My office is a loaner site for Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Fishing Tackle Loaner Program.
For more information about these free services or to share ideas on how we can improve our offerings, please contact my office at 570-902-4082.
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