May 4, 2007 By Amanda Clegg 4 min read

MENALLEN TWP. – Christa Sabatula doesn’t know where else to turn. The mother of triplets is fighting the state for the welfare of her family, but getting nowhere. Christa and her husband, Dan, and their three 1-year-old children – Emma, Hunter and Hannah – live in one of the last houses still standing on Upper Middletown Road amid the construction for the new turnpike. In an effort to get her story heard, Christa attended the township supervisors regular meeting Thursday evening.

The dust and noise surrounding her brick home off Route 40 has the Menallen School librarian searching for a way out of the mess. She added that they have attempted to solve the issue through lawyers, local politicians and their insurance company.

Supervisor Joe Petrucci suggested she buy a video camera to document how her family has had to live since the construction began last winter, while Supervisor Robert “Tweety” Yatsko went on the record saying, “They should take your house.”

Heavy equipment, 40-ton dump trucks and other construction vehicles bust through earth, carry rock and speed down the road a mere 41 feet from where her children sleep, she explained.

She noted that they have attempted several times to get the state to buy their home, but the state claims the construction does not disturb the property. Sabatula explained that she received a letter from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission stating they were a “no take,” because construction was “not touching our property.”

When the construction is done, the Sabatula home would sit beneath the on and off ramp. The building where crews would meet for the entire construction of the road and a state Department of Tranportation shed would be built feet from her home, too.

Petrucci said that he spoke with state Sen. Richard Kasunic about the matter and thinks the state may make an offer.

Sabatula told the supervisors she requested a letter from a doctor stating that for the sake of her children HEPA filters must be installed in her home. She said the dust is so bad she cannot see out her windows. Yatsko confirmed that when he visited the home, he left a handprint behind.

Mostly, Sabatula explained she is worried about the safety and health of her children.

“Be fair to us,” she pleaded. “They’re not even fair to us at this point.”

During her attempts to resolve the matter, Sabatula noted that the state denied the claims of excessive dust, flooding and cracking near and in the home. Also, construction vehicles have hit their mailbox.

“We’re worried about the cracking,” she said, adding that the house passed a pre-blast survey. “We have cracking right by our furnace.”

Frustrated, Sabatula told the supervisors, “I don’t know what to do. We’re at the point…I don’t know.”

In addition, supervisors announced that a public meeting is scheduled for May 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the township building concerning the comprehensive plan between the townships of Franklin, Jefferson, Perry and Menallen.

Petrucci explained that the meeting would allow for the public to look over the land-use map Mackin Engineering developed during preliminary plans.

“(The meeting) is time for the people to come out to say what they want in the township,” Yatsko added.

The supervisors also announced the following:

– Allegheny Power would be moving power lines in Newboro.

– The township is hiring a new code enforcement officer because the former officer took a job elsewhere.

– Burning is to take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays only.

– Grass needs to be cut. No more warnings. Citations for $25-$300 and/or 90 days in jail would be issued.

– Call 724-245-7108 to talk to a supervisor. After-hours phone numbers are available.