Nov 10, 2004 By Steve Ostrosky 4 min read

As development has increased in portions of North Union Township, so have stormwater problems, and an engineer told the supervisors Tuesday that more needs to be done to prevent more problems from arising. Bob Garbart said that areas of the township are growing, but not enough emphasis is being placed on stormwater, especially how the runoff impacts homes and businesses that are located downstream.

“I think you’ve dropped the ball on this,” he said, telling them that they can do more to help residents impacted by water runoff.

Last month Eileen Crutchman, who lives on Coal Street, and four of her neighbors asked the supervisors about improving storm drainage in their area. She said that during heavy rains much of the water that travels is not captured by storm drains and runs through several properties.

She said the problem has only begun recently and asked if more pipes could be installed or if the creek could be dredged to encourage water to move faster. She returned Tuesday to see if any progress had been made.

“The whole area needs help as far as drainage, and if it helps everyone in the area, I’d like to do it,” Crutchman said.

Kumor said Tuesday that block grant money is being explored to help address the stormwater problem in that area, but an engineering study will need to be completed before any work begins.

Since the township adopted the state stormwater management ordinance earlier this year, he said the supervisors have been able to comment on new developments and if the stormwater management plan is suitable. He said several of the new plans that are under way were started before the ordinance took effect.

Chairman Curtis Matthews said that most new larger subdivisions are using retention ponds and other techniques to control water, but it is difficult to remedy the problems in older plans.

“We’re going in the right direction,” he said.

Garbart said that development is ongoing along Starlite Drive and that, before long, neighbors will be complaining about flooding.

“You have the authority to call someone in from the state and get these things corrected,” he said. “You have to get it in higher gear.”

In another matter, the supervisors announced that they are not interested using the former Kennedy Elementary School building as site for a township recreation center.

Matthews said that the supervisors, Laurel Highlands School Board President Edward S. George and William Martin, district buildings and grounds director, toured the school as part of a scouting effort for sites that could house the center.

“The school is in nice shape and is clean, but it needs some work done, and we don’t feel it fits what we need for a recreation center,” Matthews said.

Supervisor Robert Tupta said that although the invitation by the school district to pursue the building was appreciated, much costly work would be required to convert the school.

“It’s a beautiful piece of land, but there’s just too much building in it,” he said.

The district closed Kennedy at the end of the last school year as cost-cutting measure.

Before adjourning, the supervisors also adopted the township’s tentative 2005 budget totaling just under $2 million and holding taxes at their current rate.

Tupta said the township’s assessed value as of Nov. 4 stands at $380,790,800. If the supervisors adopt the final budget next month without a tax increase, the tax rate will be .447 mills for the general fund and .17 mills for the hydrant fund.

The supervisors will adopt the final 2005 budget at their Dec. 14 meeting.

The supervisors also:

– Announced that a meeting for the Percy sewer line project will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the township building. The line extension project will tie at least 40 homes into the sewer system, and funds for the work are coming from a state grant.

– Extended hours for burning yard waste until Dec. 14. Yard waste can be burned every day from dusk until dawn until the stipulated date.

– Announced that Lemont Furnace Light Up Night will be held Sunday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m. at the North Union Township fire hall.