CLARKS GREEN — At the Clarks Green Borough Council meeting of Dec. 18, Crest Drive resident Christina Wolf, during public comment, complained about the water project on Crest Drive, Gordon Drive, and Shorthill Drive that began during the summer.

She said that she had a meeting with neighbors at her house to express concerns. She mentioned that the project caused potholes, mounds of dirt and pavement, and large equipment on these roads. “Large rock debris, active construction, torn-up pavement, and speeding dump trucks have made my small, once-quiet street unsuitable for my children to play outside in the front,” she said.

Wolf mentioned that Rossi Rooter, who was contracted by T.S.E Inc., came to the area on November 12 to camera her sewer line break outside of her property, and caused a sewer backup into her basement. She said that she hasn’t received resolution or compensation for these damages.

He mentioned that she and her neighbors agreed on certain issues: blocked streets on both directions; loss of water for several days; no communication from the water company, T.S.E Inc., or DPW (Department of Public Works) regarding the roadwork; driving hazards caused by equipment on the road; dumps of rock and litter left on people’s yards.

Wolf asked for representation by Council by being part of open communication through meetings with a representative from Council, DPW, and the water company. Gordon Drive resident Tom Evans then spoke to Council about supporting everything that Wolf said. He mentioned that he was at the meeting at Wolf’s house. He complained about trucks digging in his neighborhood without warning.

“The most frustrating part from my perspective is there’s just zero information,” he said. Evans said that also without warning, his driveway was dug up by construction. He said that there was a lack of information about the project in the meeting’s minutes of the last eighteen months. “To echo what Christina said, I think it’s reasonable to ask for updates to be made public and available to us about what’s going on,” he said.

Crest Drive resident Peggy Bormann said that on July 31, T.S.E. Inc. broke her sewer line. She said that her insurance company stepped in when T.S.E. sent her a letter stating that they are not responsible. “They’re (insurance company) going to try to get the money back from the water company,” she said.

Councilman Joe Dougherty, who is the DPW chairman, replied that he has been trying to set a meeting with the water company. Mayor Patty Lawler said that she agreed that this is a safety issue. Council president Joe Barrasse said that Council never received a schedule from the water company. He said that Council gave the water company a concession to waive the fees. “Supposedly, they’re going to pave curb to curb, which would save this borough a tremendous amount of money, and would make the job look tremendously well,” he said.

In other news

In her mayor’s report, Lawler praised the building and grounds committee for the refurbishing of the municipal building. “The bricks have been painted,” she said. “The white trim has been painted. We did a little masonry work.”

Lawler also announced that the green canopies for the building have been ordered from Reeves Awnings in Jermyn. In his treasurer’s report, Alan Hughes mentioned that the 2020 tentative budget was adopted during a business meeting in November. He said that the proposed surplus for 2020 is $17,580.20. Council voted to accept it as the 2020 budget. Hughes then read Resolution No. 6 of 2019, in which the real estate millage for 2020 is established at 15 mils, the wage tax at one half of one percent, the local service tax at $52, and the real estate transfer tax at one percent. Council voted to approve this resolution. Also, Hughes made a motion to transfer $10,000 from the general account to the capital fund and $10,000 from the sewer fund to the general fund. Council approved this motion.

In his health and safety report, Councilman Dave Rinaldi announced that the borough is adopting the emergency operations plan written by James Waters. “It was finalized,” he said. “It was distributed to the police and fire companies. We had input on it, and it is in its final form.”

Solicitor Al Weinschenk read Resolution No. 7 of 2019, which adopts the emergency operation plan. Rinaldi made a motion to appoint Waters as the emergency services coordinator for Clarks Green Borough for 2020 with a stipend of $1,000 to be paid in quarterly installments of $250. Council voted to approve this motion.

Weinschenk then read Resolution No. 8, which approves a fire protection agreement with the borough, whereas the Clarks Summit Fire Company is equipped to provide fire protection services to the borough and its residents. In his solicitor’s report, Weinschenk announced a reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 6.

In his public works report, Dougherty mentioned that he heard from DPW that the sold dump truck will be picked up soon. In his ARWA (Abington Regional Wastewater Authority) report, Rinaldi announced an increase in wages of two percent for the employees in 2020. In other business, Barrasse reminded Council of an upcoming reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 6. He praised Dougherty for his service with the DPW. He also praised Lawler for stepping up as mayor after the passing of the late Bill Thorburn.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone,” he said. “We all did a tremendous job.”

By Ben Freda

For Abington Journal