Mar 7, 2007 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Municipal officials hope to eliminate the boundary lines that separate their respective communities as representatives take part in a two-day seminar that will assist in the preparation of a comprehensive plan. Connellsville Township and South Connellsville Borough along with Greene County, Wharton Township, Moon Township in Allegheny County and others will join with Connellsville City officials for the Local Government Academy multi-municipal planning course to be held today at 6:30 p.m. and a second session on March 14.

“It will benefit all of us to work together,” said Sally Stoots, Connellsville Township supervisor. “We all have certain assets that if brought together will help everyone.”

The neighboring Connellsville communities have been in discussion concerning a multi-municipal comprehensive plan, but it is not clear whether one plan will be prepared for the three communities or a variation, dependent upon the needs of each.

Stoots said that the seminar will determine the township’s direction.

“We want to learn whatever we can so that we can make that decision,” she said. “It might be more beneficial for the city to complete one of its own and for us to join with South Connellsville; on the other hand, all of us might benefit from one plan or the township to submit its own plan.”

The three municipalities have held various meetings hoping to coordinate their efforts, but only the borough and township have signed an agreement.

City Mayor Judy Reed said that city representatives have been attending or holding meetings for three years in preparation of a comprehensive plan.

A comprehensive plan is a document that details current land uses, such as transportation, public facilities and other physical features of the community and zoning uses plus a long-term plan for future development and improvement.

Reed has indicated the city has been hampered in its ability to obtain grant funding because it lacks a current plan.

The borough and city’s comprehensive plan dates back to 1972 when a regional plan was developed for six neighboring municipalities, including Connellsville and Dunbar townships and the boroughs of Vanderbilt and Dunbar. Connellsville Township updated its plan in 1999.

The planning course, said Ray Reaves, Local Government Academy multi-municipal planning grant manager, allows the municipalities to have a better understanding of the planning process and what the state requires of municipal plans.

“It puts them on solid ground to proceed with developing their plan,” he said. “The training will help them be full partners with the consultants hired and allows them to be savvy about what they want in order to get a quality product.”

The three local communities have all expressed concern about the cost of preparing the extensive document, however, by participating in the Local Government Academy seminar, funding is available to help defray the associated costs, said Reaves.

An inter-municipal agreement can net each community up to $7,500 through the Local Government Academy, with the state Department of Economic and Community Development (DCED) providing up to half the cost for participating municipalities.

“The communities will pay something, but it will be minimal,” said Reaves, estimating total costs at $60,000 to $70,000 for three to four participating municipalities.

The seminar will be held at the Connellsville Municipal Building, located at 110 N. Arch St. Reservations to attend are recommended, but not required. Registration begins at 6 p.m. There is no cost for the seminar. For more information, or to register, call Reaves at 412-422-7877.