MERCER COUNTY Group to seek funds for merger study

Proposals are also being requested for a study of a cooperative sewer system.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
SHARON, Pa. -- A local group studying the possible merger of five municipalities agreed Tuesday to ask the state for $60,000 to continue its work.
The request, from the Shenango Valley Intergovernmental Study Committee, asks for $50,000 for the Pennsylvania Economy League, a private nonprofit and nonpartisan group coordinating the merger study; and $10,000 for legal work. The group already has $25,000 in commitments from the Shenango Valley Foundation and will try to raise $15,000 more from local sources.
In addition, the application lists $105,000 in-kind or noncash services that are also part of the local contribution to the project, provided by about 5,250 volunteer work hours.
Awaiting approval: The application can be submitted as soon as Farrell approves it. City council will meet Monday and the committee is hoping for action.
Farrell needs to approve it and be the actual grant applicant because the study committee arose out of that city's designation as a state distressed community. As a result of that designation, Farrell was required to develop a recovery plan that included asking neighboring municipalities to consider merging or consolidating, according to Thomas Tulip, manager league's local office.
The study is looking at consolidation or enhanced sharing of services between Sharon, Hermitage, Farrell, Wheatland and Sharpsville.
The league's work since the study began, in 1999, was financed through a $50,000 state grant that is nearly depleted.
It seems likely the new grant will be approved, according to Sam Wagner of the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development.
"I don't see any real snags there," he said after the meeting. "It is very likely that it will be given a very high priority."
Closing date: The committee also learned Tuesday that the closing date for requests for proposals for a consolidated sewer system feasibility study is Monday. The committee voted in February to solicit requests for the study. Proposals have been sent to seven engineering firms and legal ads will be placed. Anyone wanting to submit a request should contact the County Regional Planning Commission at (724) 981-2412.
Jim DeCapua, executive director of Mercer County Regional Council of Governments, reported that House Bill 930, which would allow merger consolidations and a vote on a home-rule charter to be accomplished in a single local referendum, has been introduced in Harrisburg.
The next full committee meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. May 24, at a location in Sharpsville to be announced. The group rotates locations of the meetings to give residents of the involved areas a chance to participate. Tuesday's meeting was at the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce offices in Sharon.