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HARVEYS LAKE — Heavy police presence and increased safety measures had a positive effect on the lake community, according to Police Chief Charles Musial.

This summer’s warm weather combined with two detours which increased traffic volume on the borough roads meant a higher volume of people and vehicles to enforce new safety measures, Musial told the borough council Tuesday.

“This was the busiest summer that I can remember,” he said.

The borough council and mayor, Rep. Karen Boback, Sen. Lisa Baker, Safety Committee and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation worked together to implement safety measures that included two new pedestrian crosswalks, four speed-minders, a lower speed limit on Lakeside Drive plus the speed limit stenciled onto the road surface, Musial said.

Earlier in the year, the council also approved increased police patrols, he said.

“Without the team that stuck it out, I do not think we would have been able to do what we did,” Musial said. “It was a success for the police department.”

This year, the police department responded to 609 traffic stops this year which resulted in 13 driving while intoxicated charges, he said.

In 2015, the borough police department had 289 traffic stops, resulting in 20 DUI arrests and 13 DUI arrests due to being involved in accidents, Musial said.

In 2016, the police department responded to two reported vehicle accidents and 15 non-reportable accidents. Non-reportable accidents are described as minor fender-benders.

None of the accidents were DUI related, he said.

“I do believe this is a record of having the lowest number of accidents (in the borough),” Musial said.

In other news, the councils members awarded a garbage contract bid to County Waste for a three-year contract, totaling $790,570. The contract does not have a per bag or bulk item sticker fees.

Other bids received were from Waste Management for $935,844 and JP Mascaro & Sons for $818,748. The quoted bids do not reflect per bag or bulk item sticker fees.

Also, a bid for a paving project on Beaver Road was awarded to American Asphalt for $56,920.40.

Other bids received were from H Group Inc. for $69,193.20; Pennsy Supply Inc. for $67,923.60; and Willow Grove Paving LLC. for $66,590.52.

The next Harveys Lake Borough Council meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the municipal building.

By Eileen Godin

[email protected]

Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews.