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Residents press Porcupine Road concerns as borough seeks extension; assembly to consider future phases Feb. 24
Summary
The borough manager said staff requested a state deadline extension to preserve the option to pursue phases 2–3 of Porcupine Road amid debate about appropriate use of FEMA funding; the assembly voted to add the decision to the Feb. 24 agenda for formal direction.
Members of the public and assembly raised concerns about the use of FEMA disaster funds and the timing of decisions on Porcupine Road phases 2 and 3 during the Feb. 10 meeting.
Resident Patty Crimoyan told the assembly she opposed using FEMA money for the Porcupine Road upgrades and asked the borough to prioritize schools and nonprofit services instead: "The FEMA money is dedicated for disaster relief, not to build roads for mining companies," she said.
The borough manager replied that staff had sent a letter to the state requesting an extension of the deadline for phases 2 and 3 so the assembly would not be forced into a premature $15 million decision and to keep options open for potential state or federal reimbursement. The manager said the state could extend a deadline to Feb. 16 (or 17) before the decision would need to go to FEMA and that staff will prepare preliminary applications to preserve reimbursement opportunities.
Assembly member Evan Sargent moved to add future phases of Porcupine Road to the Feb. 24 meeting agenda for a formal assembly decision; the motion passed after discussion and a voice vote, with at least one assembly member recorded as opposed. The manager noted that significant planning and permitting remain if the assembly decides to pursue phases 2 and 3.
What’s next: the Porcupine Road phasing and funding question will be a scheduled item at the Feb. 24 assembly meeting so the full assembly can weigh options for pursuing state extension, FEMA reimbursement, or local funding.
Sources: public comment and manager's report during Feb. 10 meeting (Porcupine Road extension letter and discussion).
