Feb 25, 2018 By Mark Soroka for The 3 min read

After many starts and stops, the boroughs of Belle Vernon and North Belle Vernon are on the verge of coming to an agreement to resolve a 12-year storm-sewer separation dispute.

Last week, Belle Vernon council members authorized Solicitor Krisha DiMascio to draft an intergovernmental agreement with North Belle Vernon that stipulates each borough’s responsibilities for future storm-sewer work.

According to DiMascio, Belle Vernon would be responsible for the installation, repair and maintenance of sewer lines, while North Belle Vernon will handle the same responsibilities for the storm water lines.

Belle Vernon Mayor Gerald Jackson was concerned that the intergovernmental agreement could have hidden loopholes, but DiMascio assured him that Belle Vernon has nothing to worry about.

“You will be better off signing this agreement because you are responsible for everything right now,” she said. “You would be getting rid of the stormwater.”

She added that the agreement could go a long way toward building goodwill between both boroughs.

“There’s been a lot of animosity here,” she said. “Sure, there are problem areas other than Blind Lane, but this agreement is a good start. We have to move forward.”

Stormwater runoff has been blamed on incompatible storm-sewer lines. North Belle Vernon’s 36-inch sewer line does not align with Belle Vernon’s 24-inch line, which is causing stormwater to escape between the gap and flood some houses in the vicinity of Blind Lane. North Belle Vernon estimated that it would have cost $100,000 to fix the problem 12 years ago but plans to begin work on the lines were scrapped. The project will cost several hundred thousand more dollars to complete this year.

Last year, KLH Engineers, North Belle Vernon’s engineering consultant, recommended boring through ground in the vicinity of Washington Street and Blind Lane, rather than running a line underneath the Belle Vernon High Rise front parking lot.

North Belle Vernon also intends to replace Belle Vernon’s 24-inch lines with 36-inch lines and its council wants assurance the borough won’t be charged with any line usage fees after the project is completed.

In addition, both boroughs have discussed “piggybacking” on bids for future paving on Blind Lane to save money.

North Belle Vernon Council President Brett Berish said he is committed to resolving the dispute once and for all.

“We are following our due diligence and will soon begin the project,” he said. “We want to be a good neighbor to Belle Vernon.”