Council hears Gaysport stormwater update as Sept. 30 grant deadline looms

Council received an update on the Gaysport stormwater mitigation project and discussed timing concerns tied to grant funding that must be spent by Sept. 30.

Staff reported GAI consultants completed the field work for a phase‑2 environmental report and that the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office preliminarily found the site not eligible for listing in the National Register, reducing archaeology work. "Therefore, no additional archeological work is necessary at the site," staff said, and engineers are proceeding to obtain the necessary DEP permits.

Several council members and attendees raised concern about the grant timeline. One participant said the "drop dead date is September 30" for spending the grant money, and staff noted the final environmental report and the historic commission's final approval still needed completion before DEP could issue final permits.

Council was told contractors had agreed to hold bids and that some site logistics (soil staging) appeared resolved, but speakers cautioned the final report had not yet been submitted and that the grant rules require spending to occur by the September deadline. Council asked staff to confirm funding timelines and report back.

Separately, the borough received notice that a Transportation Alternatives Program application for roughly $1,500,000 in sidewalk and traffic improvements within the project area had been approved, and council invited questions on the scope of that project.