Lansdowne Borough Council Special Meeting
Tuesday - July 24, 2007

The Lansdowne Borough Council held a Special Meeting on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, 6:30 PM in Borough Hall. Present were President Wayne, Ms. Coleman, Ms. Hill, Ms. Lustgarten and Mr. Urban. Also in attendance were Mayor Young, Borough Solicitor Scott, Borough Engineer Bevilacqua, Borough Secretary Henry, Code Enforcement Officer Travers and Borough Treasurer Smith. Councilmen Lee and Wagner were absent.

President Wayne stated this meeting was being held to discuss and confirm the priorities for the sanitary sewer and storm sewer issues as well as the road program. The most recent problems were then cited:

• Baltimore Avenue sewer break ($25,000-$30,000 repairs)
• Union Avenue has significant issues
• Lansdowne and Essex Avenue ($25,000-$30,000 repairs)
• Fire House sinkhole, as yet unrepaired
• A sinkhole is developing in the area of Union and Austin Avenues
• Grout problem in the Bartram Avenue sanitary sewer line

Mr. Bevilacqua introduced Josh Moss, staff engineer at Pennoni who has worked on sewer issues for the past two years.

Public Comment - There was no public comment.

A discussion then ensued on the following issues:

I. Storm Sewer System - The EPA mandates that outfall tests be performed for the possibility of any fecal E-coli contamination. After testing the Borough's storm sewer lines it was found that every line is contaminated. Mayor Young mentioned that the County is now working on a multi municipality joint cooperative project to help deal with the high costs of repairing these types of problems. President Wayne questioned whether there might be any cross connection or flow issues in some storm sewer lines running between Upper Darby and the Borough.

II. Sanitary Sewer System - The Fire House has two sanitary sewer lines running down Highland Avenue and one line is blocked. The second sewer line runs down the west side of Highland Avenue and sewage from the Fire House can be redirected into this line. There was a brief discussion about the water flowing from the Lansdowne Theater flowing into the sinkhole site at the Fire House and whether it was infiltration or runoff water. Mr. Travers felt it could be both and noted that small amounts of contamination were found in this water as well. President Wayne indicated that the water needs to be redirected, not plugged up and felt that Baltimore Avenue may be undermined with potential sinkholes. Mr. Bevilacqua mentioned that fabric and stone could be installed under the Highland Avenue parking lot and any water traveling along the utility lines under Baltimore Avenue would not undermine this area.

The Bartram Avenue grout problem was then discussed with two options mentioned for breaking up the grout: 12 inch flailing chains or a spiral root cutter.

III. Priorities of Problem Areas - the most serious problem is a 3/4 block of Drexel Avenue at a cost of $163,000 for repairs. Ms. Lustgarten noted that approximately $225,000 is left for sewer repairs minus the $163,000 Drexel Avenue repairs with an additional $39,000 in the Capital Reserve Fund for sewer projects, leaving a balance of $99,000. The projected ending sewer fund balance is $157,000. To repair the problems along Scottdale Road would cost approximately $250,000. Mr. Bevilacqua mentioned that trench less technology could be used to avoid digging up streets (except for an entrance and exit site) and has a 50 year design life. Bill Johnson noted that there are also backup problems on Nyack Avenue.

President Wayne then questioned the cost of all repairs spread out over a 5 year period. Estimated cost is $1.8 million or $400,000 per year out of the Sewer Fund. Ms. Lustgarten indicated there would be a $.5 million deficit over 5 years as only $300,000 is budgeted per year. Mr. Bevilacqua noted that one person per community could be dedicated to handle the sewer and road emergencies to help defray the high costs and mentioned that other towns use their own road/sewer crews to install and repair these systems.

The discussion then turned to the costs of various issues, county aid and more stringent DEP requirements. Ms. Lustgarten mentioned that $120,000 in the Liquid Fuels Fund is used for road maintenance. County aid is approximately $13,973 and State aid is $180,000. President Wayne indicated the need to develop a five year plan for source of funding, contingencies, etc. The Finance Committee will be further investigating this issue.

Ms. Lustgarten then asked Mr. Travers for a breakdown of various repairs:

1. Highland Avenue - $5,000-$7,000
2. Bartram Avenue - $10,000
3. Highland Avenue/Fire House - $10,000

The discussion then turned to the costs of various issues, county aid and more stringent DEP requirements. Ms. Lustgarten mentioned that $120,000 in the Liquid Fuels Fund is used for road maintenance. County aid is approximately $13,973 and State aid is $180,000. President Wayne indicated the need to develop a five year plan for source of funding, contingencies, etc. and the Finance Committee will be further investigating this issue.

IV. Dunkin' Donuts - Mr. Bevilacqua noted that J & J Concrete & Paving, LLC was the low bidder with a total bid of $101,764.50 ($82,678.50 base bid + $19,086.00 additional items). A separate meeting will be held with Bob Bartmann and Mary Lou Jennings to discuss landscaping issues.

Executive Session - Ms. Lustgarten moved to adjourn to executive session to discuss a personnel matter, seconded by Ms. Hill. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned to executive session at 8:25 p.m.

Public Session - No motions were made upon reconvening to public session.

Ms. Lustgarten moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Ms. Coleman. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
 
Barbara Ann Henry
Borough Secretary