Municipal News

Last Updated on Saturday, 28 February 2015 02:51

By Miranda Startare

Ice and road salt were the focus of much of the Feb. 3rd New Eagle Council Meeting. With a cold and messy winter still dragging on, Council commended the street department for doing such a great job. Council assured residents that salt supplies are continually being replenished, and a plentiful 800 tons of salt will be ordered for next season.

Residents were also reminded to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall or face fines.

Icy sidewalks were also on the mind of resident Jane Core, of 116 Union Street, as she addressed Council concerning a continuing situation with ice on her sidewalks and the roadway. Core cited her neighbor's drains from a basement sump pump emptying water onto the road and sidewalk as the cause of the dangerous ice buildup.

Core said the water has been an issue for the last couple years, with water sometimes emptying into her basement around the door. During this winter season, Core has purchased 300 pounds of salt in an effort to make the sidewalks passable, and is in fear of her liability if a pedestrian would fall on the ice. Core was assured that Council officials will investigate the problem and find a solution.

Council also heard a complaint from resident Dennis Walters, of 531 Walnut Street, concerning the borough not salting the roadway in front of his driveway. Walters' claim is that the top part of Walnut Street that continues past his driveway is borough road – and should therefore be salted. The road crews describe the extension of the road as a "paper alley" – not eligible for borough maintenance.

Local officials will measure the street and make a final determination of the borough's road maintenance responsibility.

In other business, Council adopted a resolution in opposition of the lowering of a gas well impact fee by any legislative means. Council became aware that the impact fee that is currently placed on every gas well drilled in the Marcellus Shale formation in Pennsylvania may soon be lowered after attending a tri-county meeting. If the impact fee were lowered, communities statewide would be affected, including New Eagle Borough. Council is joining other communities in opposition of any legislative change that would lessen the gas well fees that are contributing to community projects throughout the state.

According to public records, Washington County ranked second highest in impact fees received in 2013, collecting $6.1 million. Since the Act 13 impact fees were signed into law by former Governor Tom Corbett in 2012, the fees have brought in $630 million to Pennsylvania. With 60 percent of the fees remaining at the local level, losing the money would be devastating to many communities.

Monongahela Police Chief Brian Tempest announced that New Eagle has received a seatbelt grant to be used in the borough. Officers will be watching for seatbelt violations during a to-be-announced two-week period, helping to increase public compliance with the seatbelt laws. Chief Tempest reminds residents that they should, of course, be in compliance with the seatbelt laws at all times – not just during the two-week time frame.