EMPORIUM — Several projects will commence to fortify flood protection in and around Emporium Borough following announcements of coming funding received over the past several weeks.
Emporium Borough Manager Don Reed said an application for money to fund a levee study was declined by the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). However, Reed received word after those results were received that the Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will take over the study and include the system in a levee pilot program.
Council passed a resolution allowing the Department of the Army’s Vicksburg District Corps of Engineers access to the levee system. The study will cover the entire levee in Emporium and Shippen Township.
DCED funding was approved to complete repairs at the Oak Street Flood Protection Project. The $400,000 grant requires an approximately $75,000 match from the borough. Council moved to accept the grant money and Reed was directed to pursue other funding sources to cover the borough’s anticipated costs.
The borough will not have to pay as much as expected for its share of work to resolve issues near American Sintered Technologies. Costs for the project were estimated between $115,000 and $150,000, and the borough anticipated paying up to $22,000. However, the borough is now responsible for only $20,000, with the bulk to be covered by grants. The borough will now be out only $3,000 for the work.
The Seventh Street drainage project will not be completed until spring. Through project reviews, it was discovered that changes needed to be made to the plans to be in compliance with state regulations.
In other news, the finance committee will meet on Nov. 17 to finalize the borough’s proposed budget prior to advertisement. The budget will be available for public review at the borough office through the next monthly meeting, scheduled for Dec. 5, when it is expected to be formally adopted.
Meanwhile, requests from the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce were approved.
Free parking will be offered in the business district from Nov. 21 through Dec. 30. The Chamber will cover and decorate parking meters for the holidays. The annual Christmas in the Wilds parade will be held at noon Dec. 10. The parade route, from the old Fourth Street School on East Fourth Street through the high school on Woodland Avenue, will be closed during the parade.
Also, discussion was held on proposed changes to the process of special garbage collections in the borough.
Council members opted not to make many further changes at this time. Residents will be allowed to schedule two pick-ups per year, as has been the procedure in the past. However, residents will be informed of rules and regulations and expected to abide by them.
Current ordinances, including those covering the sizes, weights and contents of pickups, will be enforced. Upholstered items or items such as clothing must be bagged. Fees will be charged for additional pickups and prohibited items will not be accepted.
The next council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the borough building on North Broad Street.
