PHILADELPHIA, PA – September 18, 2018 –  State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) announced Tuesday that $953,659 in Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) grants were awarded to five projects in the 7th Senatorial District.

The projects will address local water quality, a sewer system and existing recreational improvements. Senator Hughes thanked the CFA, under the direction of Gov. Tom Wolf, for investing in the projects and providing growth opportunities to numerous initiatives across the state.

“I am always pleased to see development in the district, especially when the projects are a benefit to public health, safety and recreation,” Senator Hughes said. “Thank you to Representative Mary Jo Daley, Representative Madeleine Dean, Representative Vanessa Lowery Brown and Representative Morgan Cephas for their support of these projects as well. We all fight to make a difference in our communities and are thankful to have grants such as these to help improve the quality of life for our constituents.”

The projects funded include:

  • Whitemarsh Township was awarded $323,000 to upgrade its water filtration system, which is expected to reduce chemical treatments at the water plant.
  • The Borough of Conshohocken was awarded $341,559 to replace aging sanitary sewer pipes.

Both grants were administered as a part of the Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Program. The Program provides for activities to assist with the construction, improvement, expansion, or rehabilitation or repair of a water supply or sanitary sewer system.

  • Upper Dublin Township was awarded $150,000 for a bicycle and pedestrian trail that will provide pedestrian access to the Fort Washington Regional Train Station and improve road safety.
  • Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse was awarded $100,000, which will be used to rehabilitate 4,000 feet of the deteriorating playground and indoor recreational facility.
  • Finally, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation was awarded $39,100 which will be used to create a master plan to improve Tustin Recreational Center.

These projects were funded via the Act 13 Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program.  The Marcellus Legacy Fund was created by Act 13 of 2012 to provide for the distribution of unconventional gas well impact fees to counties, municipalities and commonwealth agencies.   A portion of the fee revenue is used by the Commonwealth Financing Authority for statewide initiatives that include abandoned mine drainage abatement; abandoned well plugging; sewage treatment; greenways, trails and recreation; baseline water quality data; watershed restoration; and flood control.