Borough’s New Storm Water System Under Cemetery is Meeting the Test of Winter Weather
Through winter storms after winter storm and the resulting runoff of melting snow, the borough’s new storm water sewer system running under Holy cross cemetery has been severely tested. And it has passed with flying colors, says Councilman Joseph Bianchi.
Late last year the borough replaced 762 linear feet of old, crumbling concrete storm water drainage sewers running from Rutherford Place to Devon Street. The sewer line had become blocked in some areas and began to crumble in areas.
“Flooding was a problem in the Rutherford Place area and we needed to address it,” said Bianchi,
The borough replaced the old concrete sewer pipe with a 27 inch plastic or PVC pipe. The plastic pipe, according to borough engineers, provide less friction than the old concrete pipe and allows water and debris to flow more easily, thereby reducing the buildup of sludge that over years creates blockages.
“It’s a good system and should give us quality service for years,” said Bianchi.
Mayor Peter Massa said the new drainage pipe is working well and there have been no complaints from areas that used to suffer from chronic flooding.
With all the snow and rain we have had this winter, if there was a problem, we would have learned about it by now. Fortunately, the system seems to be operating efficiently.
The Mayor added that the project has come in about $8,000 under the projected budget of $81,000. The remaining money will be used for tree planting in the spring. Trees and shrubs along the fence line of the cemetery were removed to make way for the sewer installation.
Massa said the replanting will take place in the spring, with the planting of 122 bushes.
