HONESDALE, PA — Some of the local governments seeking a share in Wayne County’s portion of the 2015 federal community development block grant (CDBG) pot came forward on September 4, for a first public hearing before the county commissioners.

CDBG grants are to benefit communities in which 51% or more is deemed to be low or moderate income.

Wayne County Redevelopment Service Executive Director Jackie Young, who conducted the hearing, said the 2015 pot amounts to $197,583, which is approximately $2,000 more than 2014.

Some $43,000 is allotted to grant administration.

Young said that, according to census figures, three municipalities qualify to apply: Honesdale Borough, Scott and Texas townships.

Others may apply, as long as funding serves a qualifying population group.

Last Thursday, Jane Varcoe, representing Waymart Borough, proposed funding of $18,000 to complete a community park playground project serving seven- to 10-year-old children. She said the total cost of the project was $19,200.

Township supervisor Lew Henshaw of Canaan Township sought $35,000 in funding for paving of 2,000 feet of the Little Keane Lake Road.

Young said she needed to investigate the low-income eligibility of Henshaw’s request, which was based on the inclusion of some 3,000 state prisoners in correctional facilities in the township and whom Henshaw said are included in the census.

Don Kyzer, Hawley Borough Council president, asked for $40,500 for paving of three blocks of Maple Street in the borough.

Young said she also has applications from Damascus Township, for $45,000 for energy efficiency work at the community center; Dyberry Township, for $44,741 for an intersection paving project; Berlin Township, for $18,000, for sewer line, in-line camera sewer inspection and repair, and Clinton Township seeking $260,000 for a $315,000 road reconstruction project.

Separately, the commissioners approved a $35,000 grant appropriation—funded from a non-qualifying grant from 2013 CDGB grant money—to fund disabled access at the former Stourbridge School, which the county has agreed to provide to as a business incubator.

In other business, Kohr’s Excavating Inc. of Honesdale, bidding $25,850, was apparently the low bidder as bids were opened for construction of a basketball court at the county’s Park Street Complex.