Muncy borough officials are considering federal buyouts for flood-prone properties
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Muncy Borough Council considered a federal buyout of flood-prone properties and rejected grants for community projects at its recent meeting.
Kelsey Green, Lycoming County hazard reduction planner, apprised council that four properties are being considered for the buyout program.
Much of the discussion among borough officials and others considered the pros and cons of homes being razed.
The properties are at 29 N. Market St., 107 Mechanic St., 114 N. Washington St. and 122 N. Washington St.
Under the buyout program, a municipality takes over the properties after the homes or commercial structures are destroyed, Green noted.
She conceded a drawback to buyouts is the amount of real estate tax revenues lost with the destruction of homes or businesses.
Overall, it helps with flood mitigation.
Pharron Banghart noted that families whose homes were eligible for the program and eager to accept a buyout have waited many years to be selected.
In the meantime, they face concerns about additional flooding, maintaining the homes, and paying for costly and inadequate flood insurance.
Mayor Jon Ort raised the question about building a flood wall to protect the community from high-water events.
"This area is not going to qualify for a flood wall," Green said. "It won't meet the benefit-to-cost analysis."
"It definitely won't if you're tearing down houses," Ort said.
Councilman George Henry suggested any solution must benefit everyone.
Council tabled the issue and will take it up at its April 18 meeting.
In other business, council voted to withdraw applications for three community improvement grants.
The $1.3 million Department of Community and Economic Development grant would go toward a downtown streetscape and sidewalk project.
The others are grants of $572,800 for a pedestrian safety route plan to the high school and $741,000 toward South Market Street sidewalk improvements.
Former Councilwoman Brooke Bishop said many residents, businesses, Lycoming County commissioners and local lawmakers indicated their support of the DCED grant.
Borough Manager Charles Hall explained that the grants are used to reimburse the borough for projects that are already approved and under way.
He told the public that some council members had reservations about rising costs for the projects and the borough's own funding abilities.
In rejecting the grant for South Market Street sidewalk improvements, borough officials noted an existing ordinance requires residents to meet guidelines for upgrades or replacements, but it has not been enforced.
Council appointed Alicia Myers to the Muncy Shade Tree Commission and Mike Coppes for a five-year term to the zoning hearing board.
Council appointed Todd Pysher as borough engineer to work for Muncy on an as-needed basis.
Hall noted that Pysher already has done work for the borough over the years.
Council agreed to participate in the West Branch Council of Governments bidding process for the paving of two alleys.
In other action, council:
• Accepted the resignation of Joe Lyons as property maintenance officer.
• Approved permit letters with PennDOT to allow the borough to hold the Veterans Parade and the 9-11 Memorial Ride.
• Approved a resolution for state operating financial assistance of $600 to the River Valley Transit Authority.