What is happening in your part of the region?
In an effort to bring as much local news as possible to our readers, The Era has started a weekly segment called “Checking In.”
Reporters will be talking to municipal officials for an overview of current happenings in the municipality. Today’s focus is on Corydon Township.
Due to a small population and dwindling revenue, Corydon Township is currently facing budgetary issues, according to Dennis Faucher, Corydon Township supervisor.
“Our township is very small as far as population. Ninety-five percent of the area — 45,000 acres — is national forest,” Faucher explained. “We used to get 200,000 a year from forestry and that’s been slashed by a third. We also get minimal oil and gas revenue.”
Currently, the township receives roughly $70,000 in forestry money and a little under $50,000 from oil and gas revenue annually. In 2018, the tax rate was raised from 0.52% to 3.52%, which brought in an increased revenue of approximately $14,000 annually.
While there is a small reserve of money saved to keep the township afloat, Faucher predicts without a further increase in funding, the township will not be able to keep up with required roadwork in a few years, including work on Wolf Run Road, with a projected cost of $160,000. Other roads currently in need of repair include Yohe and Klondike roads and roads in Stickney.
“I’m not saying our financial problems are to the point we are going to run out right now. We can milk things out for several years, though in 3 years, there are probably going to be things that need to be done that we can’t pay for,” said Faucher. “We don’t have the ability to borrow or pay for them because of our small population base.”
While the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) offers grant money for road work projects, they only fund a fraction of the amount. For those municipalities receiving grants, PennDOT often adds additional requirements, which cost money the township is already lacking.
“Say the road work costs $100,000 — they’ll give you $30,000, but they’ll fill in other requirements,” Faucher added.
Such budgetary issues have Faucher, Chairman Charles Kaefer and Vice-Chairman Dave Hill searching for funding solutions, including asking residents to think of leaving money in their wills to entrust for certain projects.
“We are currently seeking someone who can seek out and write grants for us,” said Faucher. “They usually get paid a percentage of the grant money — there is no cost to you until they find something.”
Faucher is urging anyone who is involved with grant searches in Corydon Township or around Bradford who may be able to help to contact him at 814-362-1575.
He also encourages residents or camp owners to attend the Corydon Township monthly meeting, held at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the township building.
