MIDDLEBURG — The Snyder County commissioners on Tuesday approved three water-related projects to be funded by 2009 Community Development Block Grant money.

Because the commissioners do not know the amount the county will receive from the federal government, they used as an estimate the $260,000 the county received in 2008.

Glenda Ruch, program analyst for community development at SEDA-Council of Governments, recommended the three projects for grants: $90,000 for the construction of a membrane filtration system of the existing water source in Freeburg; $89,943 to replace 1,000 feet of water pipe in McClure; and $69,943 for a new water-supply well project in Middleburg.

The commissioners approved the recommendations and said they would not revisit the funding allocation unless there is a $5,000 increase or decrease in money given to the county for 2009.

Ruch reviewed 11 projects for a total of $700,000 in funds.

“This was very difficult,” she said. “County commissioners have made infrastructure a top priority.”

Ruch added that the block grant program is meant to help as many people as possible.

For those projects not receiving block grant funds for 2009, Commissioner Joe Kantz said the panel would do all it could to help them get the funding they need, including letters of support and help from the county planning office.

“Just let us know,” he said.

A final public hearing on block grant projects will be held Feb. 10 during the commissioners’ regular public meeting. A competitive hearing for approval to submit an application for the water improvements project in Freeburg, for which the county seeks $500,000 in federal funding, also will be held then.

More money may be provided for block grant funding, Ruch said, relaying information she received from the state Department of Community and Economic Development. She said she did not know what that amount might be and what restrictions might apply.

The commissioners also approved a request by 911 Emergency Communications Coordinator Chad Aucker to create a new interest-bearing checking account for the Voice Over Internet Protocol, as advised by the state.

A $1 surcharge per phone is being charged to customers using Internet-based phone systems, Aucker said. The provider of the service has an option to remit that money to the state or to the county. The state is not holding any money, Aucker said, and officials are still deciding on how to spend it.

Snyder County’s account will open Sunday.

The commissioners also approved the 2007 annual report, as requested by Aucker, of Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Preparedness for submission to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.