May 15, 2003 By Jenny Susa 5 min read

WEST BROWNSVILLE – After several months of asking the Norfolk Southern Railroad Co. to repair the tracks that are causing road damage, the West Brownsville Council finally received a proposal from them about street work in the borough. Secretary Jack Sabo reported that the company had written a letter, in response to communication from Mayor Martin Brockman, stating that they would repair or replace tracks that had become eroded or damaged, causing dangerous road conditions. They also proposed to replace any damaged drainpipes they encountered while they were working.

The council approved Norfolk Southern’s proposal, and commended the mayor for his work with the company.

In other matters, several local residents approached the board about Pittsburgh Road, complaining that in some areas, the road was in such disrepair that it was causing cars to be thrown out of line, and they said patching it would probably not be enough to help.

“We were advised not to do any extensive construction because of the upcoming sewerage project,” said President Pat Maxon. “Our budget also does not warrant us to do extensive repair at this time. However, we fortunately have a full-time street commissioner now, and he can take a look at the road to see what can be done to improve the conditions of the road.”

Councilman Larry Beck added that it would not be cost-effective for them to repave the entire road because they would soon have to dig it up for the sewerage project. Because Councilman John Petro is in charge of the Public Works Committee, he agreed to accompany street commissioner Bill White to examine the area.

In addition to a full-time street commissioner, the council announced that they hired a part-time street department worker. Kevin Orslene of East Millsboro was hired, contingent upon a drug and alcohol test and physical, as an assistant to the street commissioner on an as needed basis. He will be responsible for weed control, road patching, and any other task the street department needs help with.

To help with roadwork, council decided to purchase a John Deere tractor from Maple Mountain Equipment in Uniontown. Maxon said that most of the funding for the purchase will come from a grant in the amount of $12,000. The balance of $1,831 will be paid from the borough’s general fund.

Councilman Dan Kendall, who is also president of the Center West Joint Sewerage Authority, reported that the authority is still in the design stage of the sewerage project and are currently paying bills.

“I look to break ground early in 2004,” said Kendall. “It takes about a year just for the design.”

He also said that while the cost of the plant was $12.5 million, 47 percent of that was paid for with grant money. He and the rest of the board commented that it had taken many years to bring sewerage to the area, but they assured local residents that it would happen next year.

“No more wishing. It’s finally here,” said Brockman.

In another matter, the board discussed joining Pennsylvania One Call, a program designed to notify the council of anyone planning to build in the area in order to prevent any damage to underground utilities including water, gas and sewerage lines.

Pennsylvania One Call officials said that their purpose is to develop efficient communications between designers, excavators and property owners.

It was the board’s understanding that they would have to pay for joining the program, but solicitor Melinda Dellarose said that in her communication with them, she was told that the council would not have to pay, and they could receive a fine if they did not join.

“They told me there would be no service fee because the borough has a population of less than 2,000,” said Dellarose. “The purpose of this is so that when anyone is getting a building permit, they can mark the lines underground so the contractors won’t damage them. They will provide written notification to the council when someone is building so that if anything should happen during construction, council would have the right to sue.”

The council instructed Dellarose to verify that they would not have to pay for the service, and notify the organization that they could not yet mark sewerage lines because they did not know where they would be located. The council agreed that if there was no cost, they would join Pennsylvania One Call.

Maxon also reported that Gov. Edward Rendell is proposing a 50-percent budget cut to libraries in this state. Because she is the chairman of the library board, she said she is very concerned and does not want to see this happen.

“I would like to send a letter to the governor requesting that he revise his proposal because a budget cut of 50-percent would be absolutely devastating,” said Maxon. “If anyone else would like to contact him about this issue, we would certainly appreciate it. Maybe he will listen to us.”

She asked anyone who is interested to write to Gov. Rendell at Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 225 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, Pa., 17120, or e-mail him at the following link: http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Governor/govmail.html.