Washington Run clean-up in works
PERRYOPOLIS – Borough council said Wednesday that efforts to clear Washington Run of debris and other obstructions contributing to the flooding are in the works. Since last month’s meeting, council officials have met with state Department of Environmental Protection representatives to examine options available for curbing and controlling the flooding along the stream. After the meeting, council members began working on some of the suggestions and gave forms to affected residents to list the problems they’ve encountered from flooding.
The borough officials noted that most of the flood inventories had been filled out and returned to the borough for compilation and inclusion on a map of Washington Run that will be sent to the DEP. At the same time, other council members met with Fayette County Commissioner Vince Vicites. The board had no report on the results of the meeting, as it was saved for executive session due to potential legal issues.
Council President Ron Dreucci did note that the county is offering the use of their bridge department to help with problems with the bridge over Washington Run near the Sons of Italy. To further combat problems near the bridge, Councilman Bob Zundel suggested applying for a $5,000 community grant to be used to stabilize the stream bank.
As for the hopes council had to clear the bottom of the stream and remove trees and bank obstructions from the creek, Zundel said several methods proposed by DEP aren’t permitted.
However, council did report that as soon as consent forms are signed by the property owners along the stream, the State Correctional Institution at Greensburg can work on granting permission for a stream-clearing crew. The crew of 10 short-term prisoners would be on site for 10 days.
Council also learned that two troublesome pipes crossing Washington Run have been identified and one has been removed. However, Dreucci said the remaining pipe, which tends to block the stream, is owned by the Perryopolis Joint Authority and is in use.
Dreucci said the authority hasn’t met yet this month, but he said that authority member and Mayor Tim Smith agreed that it would be an order of business to see what, if anything, could be done about the pipe.
In other business, Police Chief Roger Beadling announced that a new bike and skate park has opened behind the Herr’s Potato Chip plant along Route 51.
The problem of bicycles and skateboarders using borough sidewalks and dashing into and across traffic on the streets has grown, he noted. Now, with their own park, the kids have a place away from the public streets where they can enjoy their skates and bikes without fear of a car accident, he said.