Several Schuylkill Haven residents shared concerns with Borough Council regarding the amount of water a recent storm left in their basements and on their streets.
“We had flooding in our basement as did the whole 500-block of West Columbia Street,” Christine Whalen told council during its Sept. 22 meeting. “And I cannot stress enough that we have been there for 15 years (and our neighbors) for 35 years, and we never had flooding like this.”
Whalen stressed that the area has been through hurricanes and serious rainstorms before without such serious flooding and that she believed something changed in the borough to cause the issue.
“It was 3 feet high and rising,” Whalen said, joined by her husband Keith. “Liberty Hose had to pump us out five times. I am concerned that all these years of not having flooding, it was somehow due to work done on the drains and sewage pipes on Columbia Street and Pine Street behind us.”
Resident Tim Sayers backed up the Whalens’ comments.
“I’m right across the street from their house, and every time we get heavy rain, my street looks like a river,” he said. “Should it look like a river?”
Sayers said that in the winter, Pine Street turns into a solid sheet of ice. He added that drains in the area may need to e cleaned, as there are pieces of rock and debris partially blocking them.
Assistant Borough Administrator Scott Graver assured the concerned residents that the borough has done no work in that area in at least 13 years but that he and a borough technician would look around the area and see what could be done.
Footbridge update
Engineers Tim Benner and Don Cuff presented council with potential options for a proposed footbridge between the island and the business district of town. Such a bridge has been a bit of a pipe dream for the borough for decades but the idea is gaining traction now.
One potential option brings the bridge directly across the river from St. John Street. Another starts the foot path at St. John Street but then curves it down closer to the railroad bridge and then crosses the river. Benner said he liked that option better because it would create fewer flood concerns.
Councilwoman Diane Roeder recommending discussing the issue with the Reading and Northern Railroad, which would be affected by the second option, to see if the current railroad bridge could potentially be tied into a footbridge project.
Council agreed that project planning is at a pivotal point and that such discussions should now ensue.
Recognizing retiring administrator
Former council President Marlin Berger Jr. attended the meeting to recognize Graver’s final days working for the borough.
Longtime administrator Graver was recently bumped down to assistant borough administrator ahead of his pending retirement. Jessica Seiders is now borough administrator.
“I see that Scott is leaving, and I just wanted to say that I worked with him for 10 years and went through 13 borough managers, and he was the best borough manager I ever dealt with,” Berger said. “Ma’am, you have a tough job to fill,” Berger said to Seiders.
Graver thanked Berger for his well wishes and complimented Berger, saying it started with people like him helping to put a good team together. Berger retired from council in 2017.
Montz chimed in, agreeing that the borough has a great team and that the success of the borough is thanks in large part to people like Berger and other former council members like Ruth Tucci, who is a regular attendee at council meetings to this day. “We are blessed with progressive thinking people.”
Other business
Two new police officers were officially sworn in by Mayor Michael Deviln. In August, council agreed to hire Michael Weaver as a full-time officer and Michael Bucek as a part-time officer.
In another public comment concern, resident Tara Engle asked council why Stanton Street has no painted lines to guide cars where to park. Engle said drivers parking there taking more space than needed, causing there to be less space for other vehicles.
Montz said the borough would take her suggestion seriously and investigate the issue.
A traffic signal maintenance agreement and resolution for a new traffic light at Route 443 and Berne Street was approved by council. It will be installed following the completion of a long-awaited bridge project on Columbia Street.
Council approved fire police services to First United Church for a Fall Fest Mini Carnival the church is holding Oct. 13-16.
Council regretfully accepted a letter of retirement from longtime electric lineman Al Deatrich, who is retiring.
Council agreed to hire new crossing guards Ida Randt & Connie Murphy.
Council agreed to hold town trick or treat on the same date as set by the Southern Schuylkill Council of Governments for other nearby towns.
The town Halloween Parade will take place Oct. 20.
A pumpkin patch event is set for Oct. 17 from noon to 5 p.m. at Island Park. Rain date is Oct. 24.
Trail cleanup will happen on Oct. 9 at beginning at 9 a.m.
Bowman reminded borough residents that the leash law is in effect even at the Island Park. Bowman said he recently confronted a resident not following the law. The resident expressed displeasure, but Bowman noted that the restriction is town law.
Source: Berkshire mont
Be First to Comment