The proposed public sewage project in Winfield Township has taken a major financial hit.

According to today's issue of the Valley News Dispatch, the township was denied a $5 million PennVEST loan that would have covered the majority of the project's cost.  Supervisor chairwoman Flo Allison said
the township was denied the loan because PennVEST does not consider the project to be a priority, even though the state's Department of Environmental Protection is mandating the project.

PennVEST is a state-run program that offers low-interest loans to community projects that aim to provide safer drinking water.  The township has the option to reapply for the project in October, but Allison says the township wants to get it started sooner before prices go up.

The township is considering floating a bond issue as a possible alternative, but that would mean a higher interest rate.  The condemnation of portions of land by those in opposition will begin next month, and that will affect almost 50 of the 300 landowners whose property must be used for the project.