ADAMS TWP — Township supervisors approved moving forward with the $1 million grant on Monday, Jan. 9, to combat stormwater problems.

This approval comes after a special public meeting was held Jan. 5 with the Butler County commissioners about the township’s Municipal Infrastructure Program grant request.

“The meeting that we had with the county on Thursday night was to really get some transparency and some conversation back and forth on exactly where we started and where we ended,” said Russell Ford, supervisor board chairman. “At that point and time it was up to the board on whether we wanted to choose to accept those county funds or not accept them.”

During Thursday’s meeting, supervisors voiced concerns to the county commissioners over miscommunication during the grant process. The commissioners explained to the township how the Municipal Infrastructure Program grants were apportioned.

“We were awarded $1 million even,” Ford said. “We applied for six different grants, upwards of $6.1 million. The money was carved out in a lot of different ways.”

The grant will help fund phase two of a three-phase project along Three Degree Road.

“Those county funds are going toward the shortfall that we’re having on the project bid,” Ford said. “Most of it is toward storm management.”

On Monday, the board approved moving forward with the grant unanimously. Supervisors said they were satisfied after their meeting with the county.

“It was a very informative meeting — a lot of good information came our way,” said Supervisor Ronald Nacey. “They clarified a lot of questions and concerns we had about why we didn’t get what we thought we should and then what the future holds possibly moving forward.”

Ford praised the meeting for opening a dialogue between the township and the county commissioners.

“In my time on this board, it was the first time I’ve ever seen governments actually work together,” he said. “We came with an agenda of questions that we wanted answered from them. They came back and gave us responses and questions back to us. We all agreed upon something to move forward.”

After a frigid holiday weekend last month, members board gave a special thank you to the public works’ road department for their efforts plowing and salting the township.

“As anybody would know, Dec. 23, 24 and 25 we had some nasty weather,” Ford said. “I want to give a shout-out to the road department.”

According to Ford, the workers were outside for 12 hours on Dec. 23. They spent another eight hours working on Christmas Eve and six to eight hours on Christmas Day.

“It was so cold that the salt was freezing in the trucks, so when the beds were going up in the truck the salt would not come down,” Ford said.

The freezing temperatures eventually forced the staffers to suspend working.

“I don’t think anybody has any idea how difficult it is to be out in those conditions,” Ford said. “Trust me, they’re major heroes this time of year. You have any extra Christmas cookies, feel free to stop down and visit them.”