LEWIS RUN – Residents on hand at the Lewis Run Borough Council
meeting Tuesday night questioned officials about the responsible
parties for contamination of three water wells in the borough.

Those residents were aware that state Department of
Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty was on hand in
the borough Friday to discuss the water problems they have been
experiencing.

“What contaminated the water around here?” asked one
resident.

Council Chairman Frank Langianese explained the DEP has found at
least one guilty party in the contamination of well 3 – McCourt
Label.

“We are not sure where it stands with Control Chief,” said
Langianese.

In September 2005, the DEP finalized an agreement with McCourt
Label for contamination of the area in Lewis Run that would affect
well 3 if it were to be pumped.

From that point on, the DEP has been seeking other potential
responsible parties, including Control Chief Corp., but still
haven’t reported the results of its findings.

“Nobody knows where it came from?” asked the resident again with
disbelief.

Langianese responded, “Only McCourt Label. Control Chief fought
them (DEP).”

On Friday, McGinty heard directly from borough officials and
their attorney, Matt Wolford from Erie, about their concerns for
providing their residents with drinking water as they had
previously been able to do for years – until the potential for
contamination was discovered.

Results of the meeting include the possibility of DEP helping
the borough with a PennVEST loan they had taken out to pay for the
drilling of well 3 in the borough.

The well acted as a supplemental well when the borough’s spring
dried up in the summer months.

There were two other wells the borough relied on to supplement
its water supply as well, but they have been found to be
contaminated with Benzene, a carcinogen and component of
gasoline.

This left the borough forced to hook up to Bradford City water
to supplement its spring.

At this time, the borough, through Wolford, is gearing up to
respond to a consent order presented by the DEP in June. Langianese
said they are waiting to see what their attorney comes up with, and
after that he said they would like to call a public meeting to
discuss what residents want when it comes to the future of their
drinking water.

Langianese also said that he asked the assistant counsel of the
DEP, Douglas Moorhead, if he could have a detailed list of what DEP
spent $1.2 million on when drilling the borough a new well for use
– well 4. That well, explained Langianese, will never be able to be
used.

Borough official Diane DeCasper commended both Langianese and
Mayor Al Montecalvo for all of the work they have put in on this
battle to supply their residents with suitable and safe drinking
water.

In other business, Langianese explained that Pat Shinaberger,
McKean/Elk County maintenance manager for the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation, let the borough know the agency
intends to complete work on Lafayette Avenue by June.

He also warned that PennDOT would be removing driveway drainage
systems in place there and it would be at the expense of the owners
to replace them.

Members of the Lewis Run Volunteer Fire Department asked
officials if there was an ordinance in the borough stating that the
numbers on houses had to be displayed and should be a certain size
for them to be able to see them.

Langianese said they would look into it.

The fire department members also requested that residents be
mindful of them when they are attempting to find a home for an
emergency call.

Some suggested numbers that reflect to enable responders to
better see the house number at night.

Another resident suggested the borough look into getting a
blinking yellow light for the area near the Crosby Mini Mart and
U.S. Route 219 to avoid near accidents.

Langianese said they would also look into that.

In new business, borough officials voted to install Edith
Chateau and Shirley Mackey to join Henry Hulings as auditors for
the borough.

Officials passed their budget last month with no tax increase,
leaving the millage at 1.25 mills.