Wrightstown seeks grant for mandated stormwater, sediment reduction

Wrightstown is looking for a little funding help to power an effort aimed at reducing the amount of stormwater and sedimentation that finds its way into the Delaware River.

The three-person board of supervisors that locally governs the township is pursuing an MS4 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, officials said. MS4 is short for “Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System,” according to the Penn State Extension.

If obtained, the money would be used to help pay for a state-approved project that it’s Wrightstown’s responsibility under law to execute — namely regrading and tree restoration along Anchor Creek, officials said.

The anticipated cost of the project is $344,611.

“The grant would cover 85% of the costs of the project,” said Supervisor Chairman Chester Pogonowski. “Taxpayers would be required to pick up the balance of approximately $55,000.”

If Wrightstown does not get the grant, local taxpayers will be on the hook for the whole bill. Pogonowski noted there’s not much supervisors can do about that, as these stormwater and sediment reduction initiatives are required of Wrightstown and other municipalities.

Still, officials have fingers crossed that the grant will come through.

“The project will be programmed as soon as grant money is available, most likely at the end of the fourth quarter of 2024,” Pogonowski said. “If the grant is not received, we will request an extension to complete this project.”

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