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Blair Township supervisors authorize grant bids, allocate CDBG for Reservoir Road and approve police weapons purchase
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting, the Blair Township Board of Supervisors unanimously authorized an LSA grant application for the Brentwood Stormwater Project, allocated $83,046 in CDBG funds for Reservoir Road sewer laterals, approved two 2026 pension MMOs, granted a pool occupancy certificate pending an ordinance update, and approved police service weapon purchases.
Chairman Paul Amigh presided over the Blair Township Board of Supervisors’ monthly meeting on Sept. 9, 2025, where the board approved several financial and project actions, unanimously adopting motions on grants, pensions, procurement and ordinance updates.
The board authorized the township’s consultant Stiffler McGraw to apply for Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Local Share Account (LSA) funding for the Brentwood Stormwater Project after Eric Banks of Stiffler McGraw said the project is "shovel ready," a factor he said would strengthen an LSA application. The board also approved Resolution No. 2025-09 to authorize the application.
The board allocated $83,046 of the township’s Fiscal Year 2025 Community Development Block Grant award to fund lateral connections for low-income households as part of the Reservoir Road Sewage Expansion Project. Trina Illig, Blair County CDBG grant coordinator, said the township’s $101,271 allocation loses an 18% administrative share to the county, leaving $83,046 for project use; the board voted to direct those funds to Reservoir Road laterals. Illig said the DEP requested additional evidence about failing septic systems in the area and that Keller Engineers would supply the requested documentation.
Homeowners Angela and Jim McGough requested an exception to Township Ordinance No. 356-4 (Swimming Pool Enclosures) for a pool at 247 Hamer Drive on the basis that their safety cover meets State UCC standards. The board voted to issue an occupancy certificate for the pool and directed Solicitor Patrick Fanelli to prepare ordinance language updating the township rule to reflect current state guidance.
Secretary/Treasurer Kami Bilek briefed the board on website ADA-compliance bids and the township awarded Anterior Marketing Solutions a $2,500 contract to redesign the Blair Township website to meet ADA requirements. The board also reviewed managed IT service quotes and asked staff to advertise a request for proposals; action on a managed-services agreement was tabled.
The board approved two estimated minimum municipal obligations (MMOs) for 2026 required by the PA Municipal Retirement System: $57,026 for the police pension and $76,263 for non-uniform employees.
Police Chief Roger Peacock presented a $6,942.60 quote from Eagle Point Gun/T.J. Morris & Son for six new service weapons and holsters. The board approved the purchase and also approved allowing officers to buy their current service weapons at a $250 trade-in value, noting the transfers would be completed through a licensed dealer.
Other actions approved by unanimous votes included standard monthly financial motions (approval of August disbursements totaling $93,498.13 and treasury balances), a property-line variance for a shed at 214 Brooks Boulevard after the abutting owner consented, and the meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
During public comment, resident Ralph Galbraith of Brooks Boulevard raised three items: a report on migrating Monarch butterflies funneling through Brooks Boulevard, praise for the new Everett Railroad general manager (Mr. Crawford) and reduced train horn volume, and ongoing concerns about high-smoke trash burning in Brooks Mills, including a reported recent 24‑hour burn. Galbraith asked the board to consider ordinance amendments to limit burning hours and materials and submitted a written request for a follow-up response.
