By Barbara S. Miller

Staff writer

bmiller@observer-reporter.com

Approval of a merger by voters in West Alexander Borough and Donegal Township will make the newly constituted municipality eligible for a potential increase in federal Community Development Block Grant money and give it an edge in getting a local share of gaming revenues.

The referendum, approved Tuesday, should result in an extra $6,000 for the merged municipality during the first year of its block grant three-year rotation.

Each municipality had been eligible for $30,000 every three years, said William McGowen, redevelopment authority executive director. So combined, the municipalities will receive $60,000 in the first year.

During the second and third years of the rotation, the block grant will increase an additional 5 percent.

Washington County Redevelopment Authority board agreed some time ago to offer a financial incentive to communities deciding to merge, McGowen said.

Commissioners also decided to give "special consideration," or priority, to merged municipalities applying for part of the anticipated $12 million in the local share of slot-machine revenues from The Meadows Racetrack & Casino.

"Consolidation is important for the survival of a lot of these communities, and certainly it's cost-saving and it improves the services," commission Chairman Larry Maggi said Wednesday. "When communities do consolidate, we want there to be enticements there."

Maggi said he wasn't surprised that the measure passed in Tuesday's balloting.

"Donegal and West Alexander Borough, those people have so much in common," Maggi said. "They go to the same churches; they're family members; they're co-workers; they are friends; so they have a lot of similar ideas. It was just a natural fit. Being from out there in that area, I know that to be true."

Maggi lives in Buffalo Township, also in western Washington County.

"I went to one of those meetings, and it was said it wasn't in the best interest of Donegal Township, but Donegal Township was just being a good neighbor, and I thought that pretty much said it all," Maggi said.

West Alexander had council seats it couldn't fill, and Donegal already does its policing, snow removal and road work.

Donegal takes over Jan. 1, and Maggi said before then there are "some legal niceties that have to be completed."

Mergers between Coal Center and California boroughs and Burgettstown and Smith Township failed when the proposals were placed on the ballot in recent years.

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