First Posted: 9/19/2014
At the September council meeting, Clarks Green Borough Council voted unanimously to hold a public meeting regarding the new MS4 regulations the borough must follow. A public meeing has been set for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15 in the borough building before the regular October council meeting which begins at 7 p.m.
Local municipalities have felt the pressure recently to enforce MS4 regulations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is requiring municipalities to adhere to new regulations under the Clean Water Act for MS4, causing multiple municipalities to spend more time and money complying with regulations.
Administered under the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Program or MS4, requirements were initiated to further reduce pollutants associated with storm water runoff. Local municipalities must follow six basic requirements from educating the public to storm water management and pollution prevention.
According to Lynne Earley, council member and chair of the public works committee, the borough will have materials available in case anyone comes to the meeting with questions.
“We have already satisfied some of the public information requirements,” said Earley, adding the borough has put information in sewer bills and promoted “When it rains, it drains” storm water runoff information on the borough’s website.
However, the borough needs to begin more work to comply with new MS4. “We have to get this started now,” Earley said.
Earley met with borough engineer Jack Scheuer from BCM Engineering and DPW Supervisor Dave Kohinsky last week to discuss the next step in complying with MS4 regulations.
The borough has to map approximately 370 storm water catch basin inlets before the end of the year. Each has to be visited and placed on a GPS map.
The borough engineer estimates the GPS mapping will take approximately five days to complete with two employees and will cost between six and seven thousand dollars, according to Earley, who motioned to have the borough’s engineering firm proceed with the GPS mapping.
Council unanimously voted to move forward with BCM Engineering to proceed with the GPS mapping of 370 storm water catch basin inlets.
Borough council also decided to hire a third DPW worker full-time, instead of part-time as discussed during the regular August council meeting. Council voted unanimously to begin advertising immediately to fill a full-time position with the Department of Public Works.
Also, council member Maureen Palmer announced for that leaf bag distribution for residents will be on Saturday, Oct. 18.