ORWIGSBURG - The Blue Mountain Recreation Commission has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the state for its efforts to update its Comprehensive Park and Recreation Plan.
Now, the commission needs to come with local money to match the grant funds.
"It was a nice holiday send-off," Mark Palerino, recreation director, said Monday about the grant he applied for in April through the Community Conservation Partnerships Program, a recreation-focused effort of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
He said an employee in the office of state Sen. David Argall, R-29, told him about the good news around Thanksgiving. He was later notified by DCNR in December.
Palerino said he was confident in getting the grant that requires matching funds, which, potentially, could come from the county and other municipalities. A committee will be formed to represent each municipality that is participating in the plan.
"Right now, I think it's hard to get any grant," Palerino said. When the match is finalized, a consultant could then be hired to complete the plan, he added.
The plan would say what recreational facilities there are, the condition of them and address other issues including a possible recreational trail in the area. The public would also have the opportunity to comment on the plan and on areas of need. Work on the plan might occur by the fall, Palerino said.
The current plan was last updated in 1975. The move for this update started in 2012, as Palerino wanted to know how he could improve after being chosen by the Blue Mountain Recreation Commission Board as director in 2011.
All municipalities within the Blue Mountain School District participate in the commission. They include Auburn, Cressona, Deer Lake, New Ringgold and Orwigsburg boroughs and East Brunswick, West Brunswick, North Manheim and Wayne townships. They contribute through earned income taxes. The school district also contributes money to the recreation commission through its collection of the earned income tax. People also pay to take part in more than 50 recreation programs provided by the commission.
Palerino said $28,320 is the amount available from the recreation budget for the municpalities that are already part of the commission.
Palerino letters were sent last week to Landingville, Port Clinton and Schuylkill Haven boroughs and South Manheim Township about the plan after they had expressed interest. There would be a cost involved, based on population, to update the plan. The municipalities that are part of the commission will not incur an extra cost as it is already in the recreation budget, Palerino said
He said the cost for Landingville would be $240; Port Clinton, $440; Schuylkill Haven $7,520 and South Manheim, $3,480.
Palerino said the commission might have to come up with additional money, make other decisions or not be able to use the entire $50,000 if the funds from the county or the four additional municipalities do not materialize.
Schuylkill Haven Borough Manager Scott Graver and council President Marlin Berger Jr. declined to comment Monday on the issue.
The Schuylkill County commissioners could contribute $10,000 toward the effort but the board would have to vote on it.
"We think this is a very good project," commissioners Chairman Frank J. Staudenmeier said by phone Monday.
A letter was sent to the commissioners last year outlining the project, Palerino said.
Funding could come from the Marcellus Legacy Fund, which supports conservation and environmental projects and efforts, Staudenmeier said, adding, "We think this its a good use of the money."