The Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission was notified recently that it qualifies to participate in a septic system program to benefit qualifying homeowners throughout the six-county region.

Beth Johnson, septic system coordinator for MPPDC, said that one homeowner from Mathews has already applied for assistance under the grant program.

According to Johnson, there is "no free money," but homeowners might receive a special loan to assist them with placing a septic system on property where there’s a failed septic system. Some of the systems might be alternative septic systems, she said.

Previously, the region was served by a separate septic loan program, but money from that federal program dried up a while back, Johnson said.

In a separate matter, MPPDC executive director Dan Kavanagh reported that the commission will review its strategic plan during an upcoming retreat. Details for the retreat are being finalized, Kavanagh said, and the daylong session...