California council to launch road-repair plan
CALIFORNIA – Borough council agreed Wednesday to move forward on a proposed five-year road-repair plan, at an estimated cost of $350,000. Nearly 50 residents expressed concerns and complained about the conditions of “country” roads in the borough. They said conditions are “very bad,” especially after heavy rains, and heavy rains last week flooded roads, washing away top surface and cross drains, leaving behind ditches and rocks that are damaging their vehicles.
“There is no road in some places. It’s so bad,” said Debbie Grillo of Short Ridge Road.
Council President Arthur Harris said state Rep. Peter Daley (D-California) has asked the governor to declare the borough in a state of emergency.
In an effort to address the ongoing problem, Harris proposed a five-year plan that would surface 12.1 miles of road that is covered with gravel or “red dog.” He said that 12. 1 miles is essentially an accumulation of parts of five different roads, including Short Ridge Road, North California Drive, Chalfant Lane, Cross Ridge Road and Kaukonen Drive. He said small parts of other roads also are included in that plan. He estimated the project, including the installation of cross drains, could cost $300,000 to $400,000.
Borough engineer Carl DeiCas of McDonald Engineering, Charleroi, said he did a survey last year to put together a “cost-effective plan,” including specifications, to repair those five roads partially through using private contractors and partially through the borough’s road crew.
After questioning from the audience, council said it would make a motion for Harris’ five-year plan.
Harris said he expects council to adopt and start the five-year plan, beginning with repairs to Short Ridge Road, because it has a grant that must be used by March. He said he will suggest earmarking $50,000 to start the project.
Residents expressed frustration, though, for not seeing any improvement in the roads for so long.
“We have a lot of frustrations,” said Pat Pust of Cross Ridge Road. “It’s just common sense. You should do a half-mile every year. Then you would get something done. Most people have been living here for so long and would like to see you get something done.”
Councilman Robert Sepesy, in an effort to explain the delay in progress, said the borough had intended to do most of the repairs instead of contracting someone, but simply does not have the time or the manpower, especially with the heavy rain damage. He admitted that trying to have the borough’s road crew tackle the project alone may have been a mistake.
“I’ll take a bit of the blame. I was looking to stretch our money as much as we can. Instead of getting one mile (with a contractor), I was thinking we could get 11/2 miles (with the road crew),” he said, noting that four men comprise the borough’s road crew, including the supervisor.
Councilman Jon Bittner agreed: “We have the equipment. We have the people to operate the equipment, but we just don’t have the time to do it.”
Grillo expressed concerns with holding off any longer on repairs to Short Ridge Road.
“We have a $34,000 grant that needs to be spent by March or it goes somewhere else,” she said.
Sepesy agreed, saying, “Maybe we should have this bid out and have the cross drains put in.”
According to Harris, that grant money is a part of a dirt and gravel grant issued by Penn State University for repairs to Short Ridge Road. Harris said he thinks council should “put something into play” at the next regular meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. July 18.