Board greenlights grant application to plan Popular Drive improvements

Township staff told supervisors on June 18 that meetings with the conservation district and a site walk of Popular Drive identified drainage issues, wetlands constraints and the need for conceptual engineering. To move forward, staff recommended applying for a low‑volume road grant and funding phase one work — preliminary engineering and application soft costs — with an estimate of up to $25,000.

Phase two would address two culvert crossings that likely require Department of Permits permitting and could raise costs; staff recommended separating those as a later phase in the grant application to avoid imposing permit criteria that increase overall estimates. Board members asked questions about upfront costs, reimbursement through the grant if awarded, and the schedule for application preparation. The board approved pursuing phase one as recommended.

Staff said the work will produce materials needed to estimate construction costs and drainage improvements and will inform a subsequent full application if the township elects to include the culvert work in a later phase.