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SUGAR NOTCH — The borough council decided Wednesday to take measures to fix a sewage problem that residents say is causing health issues.
For the past several years, residents have been complaining that raw sewage has been creating a health problem off Woodland Road. Solicitor Sean Logsdon said the borough thinks there is an improper tie-in to the sanitary lines. The sewage is draining from the side of a tunnel into residents’ backyards. Residents, like Kendal Hancock, have attended previous meetings asking the council to address their health concerns.
“Right now you’ve got warm weather,” Councilman James Gallagher said. “I’m sure that it’s not pleasant down there.”
The problem: The council doesn’t know whose home the drainage comes from.
The solution: A smoke-and-dye test to find out which home is causing the issue.
Logsdon said borough code doesn’t permit administrative warrants for smoke testing, but there is a loophole for granting a warrant if it’s a health violation. The council believes the raw sewage is a health code issue.
In years prior, Logsdon said, the borough had tried gaining access to homes without success.
“It’s fallen by the wayside,” Logsdon said.
Gallagher and Councilman Dominick Panetta were visibly frustrated and wanted something to be done.
“We’ve been banging our heads for three years,” Panetta said. “Enough is enough already.”
The council warned they would go to Magistrate Joseph Halesey for warrants if homeowners don’t voluntarily let them in to do a dye test.
The borough also will be taking steps to block off the no-outlet road of Smythe Street.
Resident Glen Pascoe complained to the council that drivers who get lost in the borough come down the 304-foot long road. The end of the road is dirt but is considered an “assumed roadway” full of trees and woods.
“A few weeks ago, a driver came up tires squealing, burning out down the street,” Pascoe said.
According to Pascoe, children play on the road and people who don’t know where they’re going or don’t care, don’t care about the safety of the children.
Logsdon said the borough could block it off with barriers or poles, but he needed to make sure homeowners that use the road have another access point to go to their homes.
Councilman Paul Casey said besides a few homeowners who use the paved part of Smythe Street the area’s residents have access via Walnut Street.
The council agreed to put up temporary barriers until the next meeting when Logsdon will have a formal answer for the council on permanent barriers.