Hatboro in 'Running' for Facilities Funding

Whether the Hatboro Borough Council follows through on a controversial plan to relocate some public works space to Eaton Park or pursues other facility upgrade alternatives, the borough "is in the running" for state funding, according to officials. 

In an email sent to Hatboro Borough Manager Fred Zollers, Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf's Executive Assistant Eric Pauley relayed that the Senate and House had approved the Capital Budget Project Bill which included language for the borough's $1.5 million matching grant request to upgrade, expand and modernize borough hall, the police station and public works. 

Gov. Tom Corbett is expected to sign the bill into law "on or before" Saturday, according to the email. 

"We're in the running," Hatboro Borough Council President John Zygmont announced during Monday's meeting of funding related to the estimated $2.8 million in upgrades envisioned for borough hall, the police station and the existing public works building and a possible public works annex to be housed at Eaton Park.

He told Patch after the meeting that funding–if it is granted–likely would not be earmarked until 2014 or 2015. 

In the email, Pauley shared that "inclusion of language in the capital budget bill for a project does not guarantee funding."

"It only represents the beginning (legislative authorization) for possible future funding," under the state's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, according to the email. 

If the bill is signed into law, Pauley said Hatboro would need to submit a business plan for consideration during the twice yearly funding rounds.

At this stage, Zollers said the notification simply means that the facilities upgrades are deemed a "worthwhile project." The actual amount of state financial support, should it be granted, could be the $1.5 million that the borough requested, or much less, he said. 

"We could get whatever they decide," Zollers said.