Increases in Church St. traffic causes concern

BY STACI WILSON

With PennDOT beginning its work to replace the Main St., (SR 11) bridge in New Milford, borough council is worried about the impact the project will have on Church St. traffic.

The mostly residential Church St. runs parallel to Main, and some motorists are already using it as a means to bypass tie-ups on Main St.

Mayor Scott Smith brought up the issue at the June 5 council meeting. He said traffic on the street is already increasing, including large truck traffic.

Although the two b ridges on the street have weight restrictions, the street is not posted to limit the weight of vehicles traveling on it.
Council discussed adding signage on the ends of the street – at its intersections with Jackson (SR 492) and Susquehanna streets in order to keep commercial trucks from using the borough road.

Council said police are aware of the traffic safety concerns on Church St. but will be asked to increase vigilance in the area.

Throughout the bridge replacement project, PennDOT will maintain two open lanes in the work zone. The project is expected to be completed in December. The bridge spans Salt Lick Creek.

Council President Ken Carey reported that a pool manager had been chosen by the Recreation Board.

Carey said he hopes to have the pool filled and open by June 18 or 19.
Final drawings needed in order to obtain the necessary permitting were expected to be filed last week.

Four lifeguards are slated for the summertime work but more could be used, according to council.

Councilman Rick Ainey noted that it has been difficult to keep lifeguards from year to year. He proposed a pay increase for the summer hires.

Council approved setting the starting salary for lifeguards at $8.50 per hours; and $9 for returning lifeguards.

Carey also suggested that he, as well as the borough’s maintenance man, become certified to handle the chemicals for the pool.

A representative for Southwestern Energy attended the meeting and let council know that seismic testing was slated to begin in the borough this summer.

Council approved the testing pending the company also getting final approval from the borough’s municipal authority.

The Southwestern rep said PennDOT’s approval was also needed.

Ainey also discussed Leatherstocking’s tentative time frame established for natural gas service to run through the borough.

He said that commitment letters will be sent out by the company on about August 1, once the initial “interest” letters are received. The application data is expected to go to Leatherstocking on July 1.

From there, the natural gas distribution company will begin to develop construction plans in November, with construction expected to begin in 2015.

Ainey said that he would like to set up a “vendor expo” to bring together contractors with home and business owners in order for the property owners to begin the process of converting to gas if they choose to do so.

Councilwoman Teri Gulick also noted the Impact Fee – Act 13 revenue the borough is to receive this year. She said that according to the PUC, the borough would get over $48,000.

In this year’s budget, adopted last December, council had budgeted an estimated $30,000 of Impact Fee funds.

The borough has negotiated a renewal of a lease for the Council of Governments office space located in the borough building. Carey said COG is expected to act on the lease at its June meeting.

Ainey said that although the borough has a lease with the organization, he has also heard several complaints from residents regarding their dealings with COG.

Carey said he would take those concerns to the next COG meeting.