Resident approaches council on moving water line
MASONTOWN – A borough resident again asked the council Tuesday to consider moving a water line slated for replacement sometime this year. Leroy Erhard of Washington Street approached the council two weeks ago about a new water line to be installed along High Avenue, and he asked the members again to move the line one foot south of its current location so that properties would not be disturbed.
“If you keep it (the current location), you will damage seven driveways, two parking lots, Locust Street and an alley,” he said. “You could move that line and not tear up our properties to do it.”
Erhard, who has lived in his home for 52 years, said the asphalt that was used to pave his driveway will not match new blacktop that will have to be used if the line goes through his property.
Council President Joe Volansky said that Erhard raised the issue two weeks ago, but a decision about the line has still not been made. When it is time for the line to be installed and the contractor is given an order to proceed, Volansky said, the borough will decide where to place the line.
“You got your point across extremely well last meeting, but we don’t know how soon it’s going to be,” he said. “Council will make the decision before they start work, and we will take into consideration everybody who has something to say.”
Volansky said it could be later this summer or even later in the year before work may begin on that water line replacement, but Erhard was not happy that he was interrupted.
“I think that the public should have the right to come to council whenever they want to,” he said.
Russ Mechling, borough engineer, told Erhard and council he would visit the site again and see if the line can be moved with little disruption to the properties in question.
In another matter, the council is short one member after they approved the resignation of Mark Snyder on Tuesday. Snyder took over in November for Sheilah McGalla, who resigned in October after 10 months on the board.
Volansky asked anyone who may be interested in serving out the balance of Snyder’s term, which is slated to expire in 2005, to send a letter to the borough office.
The borough also is looking for one person to serve on the recreation board, after the council approved the resignation of Mike Fell, and for a person to serve on the board of trustees of the German-Masontown Library, after Judith Psenicska resigned earlier this month. People interested in either position should send correspondence to the borough office, Volansky said.
The council voted to table a motion to determine which roads will be included in the borough’s summer road program and will schedule a special meeting to make the final decision. Councilmen Frank McLaughlin and Charles Popovich were absent Tuesday.
The members also approved the borough’s updated emergency management action plan, authorized a $100 donation for the July 4th celebration in German-Masontown Park and met for 50 minutes in executive session to discuss personnel matters.
The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 8.