Burns credited for help with Vintondale’s $177,592 grant
Tractor and grass-cutting attachments, new truck come to tiny borough
Rep. Frank Burns May 4, 2026 | 1:04 PM
JOHNSTOWN, May 4 – On-foot weed-whacking of 12,600 feet of surface area on Vintondale’s flood-control levee wall – which took borough workers days to complete – is no longer required due to a tractor and cutting attachments purchased with a heavy grant assist from state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria.
Pam Smith, Vintondale council president, said the $177,592 state Local Share Account grant is a financial godsend to the 400-person borough, allowing it to obtain the 47-horsepower tractor outfitted with loader and backhoe, a 94-inch sickle bar mower, a 72-inch rotary cutter, and a 61-inch tyne grapple.
The grant money is also buying a new 2026 Ford F-350 truck for winter plowing and other borough duties.
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“Frank supported Vintondale because we needed it and it was the right thing to do – and for that we are very grateful … He advocated for us because he knew that we desperately needed it and without that grant we would never be able to purchase the equipment that we need.” – Pam Smith, Vintondale Borough council president.
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“Frank supported Vintondale because we needed it and it was the right thing to do – and for that we are very grateful,” Smith said. “Being such a small town, this grant means so much to us. There are a lot of grants out there to help municipalities purchase a variety of things but unfortunately the vast majority of them require a match which isn't feasible for a small town like Vintondale. We just don't have the funds.
“We are incredibly thankful for Representative Burns' support regarding the LSA grant. He advocated for us because he knew that we desperately needed it and without that grant we would never be able to purchase the equipment that we need.”
Smith said this was the second time that the borough applied for such a grant, and after being disappointed the first time, Burns urged persistence in the belief it would pay off.
“We did try the year before, and we didn’t get anything. I saw that whole list (of grants awarded), and I saw how much money Philadelphia got … and here we are, sitting with this tiny little tax base,” Smith said. “We just don’t have the funds. It was very frustrating.
“I flat out asked [Frank], ‘Is it even worth us applying [again]? He said yes and was very supportive and encouraging. We did the application on our own, but he definitely offered to help … when Frank called and said we got the grant, I was in awe. I couldn’t believe we actually got it.”
Because of the tractor and related grass-cutting attachments, Smith said levee maintenance will be safer and done in less time, freeing workers to concentrate on other borough needs. She doesn’t mind giving Burns credit where it has been earned.
“I've seen Frank catch a lot of flak on social media no matter what he does,” Smith said. “Clearly, helping us wasn’t a self-serving act since Vintondale's population is less than 400. I think nowadays people tend to be so consumed with hatred that they will find some negative to say about anything. They thrive on drama rather than giving credit where credit is due.”
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