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MONTGOMERY TWP — A fine to a local business has led to an unexpected bump to Montgomery Townships coffers.
The townships supervisors unanimously voted Monday to accept roughly $14,000 in funds that could be used to help complete a long-discussed trail connection.
"The township was recently notified by the Department of Environmental Protection that a business in the township was recently assessed a civil penalty for over $50,000 for air pollution violations," said Stacy Crandell, assistant to the township manager.
That company has agreed to pay the fine, and has already done so to DEP, Crandell told the supervisors during their Nov. 12 meeting. Under the states Act 57 of 2011, the township is eligible to receive back up to 25 percent of the civil penalty payment. With a total penalty of $56,548.88, that means the township qualifies for $14,137.22.
"Funds can be used to fund projects that eliminate or reduce air pollution, or for parks, recreation, trail or open space projects," Crandell said.
After talks with DEP, Crandell told the board, the township has gotten permission to apply those funds to a trail connection project that has been discussed since 2013, to connect trails along the Route 202 Parkway with the Powerline Trail in adjacent Horsham Township, via a connection running past the townships community and recreation center.
The township has already secured roughly $850,000 in state grant funds for the project, according to Crandell, and the extra funds from the penalty could pay for additional landscaping and fencing along the trial.
"When we talked to DEP, they thought this was a really good use of the funds," she said.
Montgomerys supervisors then voted unanimously to submit a formal request to DEP to accept the funds, and use them for the trail project, and board Chairwoman Candyce Fluehr Chimera said she thought it was "a great use of the funds."
Autumn Fest volunteers thanked
Staff and the board both thanked numerous residents and groups for helping out during the townships Autumn Festival on Oct. 6.
"Montgomery Township wishes to recognize and thank all of our loyal volunteers for their tremendous efforts, ensuring success of this heavily-attended community special event," said Community and Recreation Center Director Floyd Shaffer.
"Ive been to a lot of community events throughout the years, and this one is one that really does embrace the community," he said.
On behalf of the township and board, Shaffer thanked a long list of volunteer groups and sponsors, including the Autumn Festival Committee, Environmental Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation board, Senior Volunteer Committee, and township staff including the Public Works and Police departments.
Outside groups that helped out included the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale, the Montgomery Township Baseball and Softball Association, North Penn High Schools Junior ROTC and Key Club, the Montgomery County Public Library Bookmobile, Keystone Fellowship Church, Calvary Church, Penn Manufacturing Industries, FirstGroup Transportation, Wegmans, Clemens Food Group, and Herrs Snacks, Shaffer said.
Shaffer also thanked sponsors who donated at various levels for the festival:
Harvest Sponsors — The Goldenberg Group, Calvary Church, FirstGroup Transportation.
Pumpkin Sponsors — Mid Atlantic Packaging Inc., Dischell, Bartle and Dooley PC, Fulton Bank, Delaware Valley Dance Academy, PECO.
Scarecrow Sponsors — Gilmore & Associates, Patient First, Doylestown Health, Boucher & James Inc., Traffic Planning & Design, Bharatiya Temple.
Fall Foliage Sponsors — Volpe Enterprises, the Peterman Group, Syrena Collision Center, Sals Nursery and Landscaping, F. Ambrose Moving Inc.
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