Residents weary of construction

BY STACI WILSON

Curbing put into place for the Route 706 Betterment Project is making the ability for buses to easily get to Lathrop Street Elementary anything but better.

Montrose Area transportation director Betsy O’Malley told the borough council Monday night that the curbing has considerably narrowed the road entrance.

She said, “Buses can’t make the turn (from Grow Ave. to Lathrop St.) if any traffic is coming down Lathrop Street.”

O’Malley said that she had watched the intersection and witnessed most drivers coming off Lathrop Street avoided the stop sign completely by shortcutting through the adjacent parking lot.

She said the safety of the children in the school district was of paramount concern.

Borough council members agreed and will send a letter to PennDOT asking for the engineers to review that intersection.

Councilman Randy Schuster suggested making the street a “one-way” during school hours.

Much of council’s meeting discussion focused on the two major infrastructure projects currently underway in the town – roadwork and natural gas lines. Mayor John Wilson said he is asked daily about when the roadwork will finish.

According to PennDOT, the Rt. 706 Betterment Project is slated for completion in May 2015.

Council President Tom LaMont said Leeward expects to lay a base pavement from McDonald’s Restaurant on Grow Ave. to Chestnut St. before winter; and finish curbing on the western part of the project.

He said it was too late in the year for the company to enter the business district.

Solicitor Marion O’Malley told council that street by her office was closed down by a Leatherstocking contractor with no advance notice given. She also said that there have been issues of the company staging equipment on private property without requesting permission.

“It’s an ongoing situation throughout town,” Solicitor O’Malley said.

The Montrose police department is contracted to cover Forest Lake Twp. through April 2015 – and the borough council is unwilling to renew that contract.

Councilman Sean Granahan led the charge, “How many of us really want this thing?”

Councilman Craig Reimel said, “I see it as a personnel issue. It’s hard to staff our own force.”
Granahan and Councilman Todd Chamberlain said they had believed that Forest Lake intended to start up their own police force.

“Let them do it,” Granahan said. “Let them build their own force” and he motioned to let the contract expire.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation has come to council with an apparent offer to lease borough-owned properties.
In order to enter into an oil and gas lease, the borough would have to advertise that it was accepting bids.

Granahan said that in order for a drilling company to access gas on any borough-owned property, it would have to also sign up the neighboring properties.

He said, “Why not sue for royalties in that case and not even (enter into a lease)?”

“We can’t negotiate a lease because we have to go through the bid process,” Granahan said.

Council plans to invite Cabot representatives to an upcoming meeting for more information.

At least one handicap parking space will be added along Chestnut Street, on a 30-day trial basis. In order to establish the handicap space permanently, council will need to adopt an ordinance.

A no parking area will also be marked out in front of the steps.

Borough council extended their appreciation to the Montrose Area Lions Club for their work at Memorial Park.

The Lions roofed the pavilion and a shed, and are also painting the shed and the new restroom facilities at the park.

Reimel said the restrooms will not be a year-round facility – and will be cold-water only.

The restroom project is expected to be completed soon.

“The park has come a long way from what it was 10 years ago,” Reimel said. He noted the increased number of people using the walking track, as well as the other park equipment.