CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough is looking for cooperation to alleviate flooding problems.
At Thursday’s Clearfield Borough Council meeting, Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott said that there were flooding issues in the borough during July 4.
Stott said when the heavy rains began, Street Crew Foreman Todd Kling had begun driving around checking Stinky Run, Orrs Run and the other troublesome waterways within the borough, even though it was his day off.
She said when it became clear that the gates on Stinky and Orrs Run were becoming blocked with debris, additional street crew members were called out to utilize a backhoe and a dump truck to help clean up the debris and keep the gates open.
“We had cleaned up a truck load of debris and more was coming,” Stott said. She said she contacted the Lawrence Township Supervisors, since the waterways originate in the township and drain into the borough.
Stott said the supervisors advised the borough to do what they had to in order to address the problem and the township would “make it right,” later.
Stott said in addition to the street department members, several members of the fire department and some of the police officers also worked to help keep the inlets open and keep the water from flooding houses in the area.
Stott said this is not the first time a situation like this has happened. She said the only way to handle the debris is to clear cut the brush and shrubs along Stinky Run and Orrs Run.
However, the borough had attempted to get help from the township with the project previously but was rejected, so the street department did the work themselves.
Stott said while the crews were working, they were “cursed at” and told to “go back to the borough” by township residents.
Stott said she, Kling and members of council need to set up a meeting with the township supervisors to discuss what can be done about the debris issues.
She said work is progressing on an improvement project for Stinky Run, but it will be another two years before that project starts, and it does not address the problems with Orrs Run.
Also at the meeting, Police Chief Vince McGinnis wanted to warn the residents of an elaborate scam in the area. McGinnis said the scammers are mailing letters to residents claiming they are from the “National Police Association.”
The letter alleges that local police departments are “struggling with the war on terror.” The letter specifically mentions the Clearfield Borough Police Department by name and wants residents to donate money.
McGinnis said the department is not affiliated with the NPA in any way and residents should not donate to this organization.
The council then held a lengthy executive session. When they returned, the council approved a motion to close the roads within the fairgrounds during the week of the Clearfield County Fair.
The council will send a letter to the fair and park board advising them of the road closures. The letter will also specify that occasional beer sales during the fair must be confined to the area in front of the grandstand.
The council also approved:
- Traffic impairment for the Tour De Susquehanna on Sept. 2.
- Purchasing an in-car computer system and printer from Patrol PC in the amount of $5,864. $5,000 of that fee was donated by resident Don Shaw.
- Closing Cherry Street from Front Street to Second Street for the fire and police department’s Night Out event from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Aug. 7.
- Advertising for trash removal and heating fuel bids.
- Advertising for the East End paving project.
- Accepting the resignation of part-time officers Erich Routch and Ethan Fritz.
- Reappointing AnnJane Ross to the Civil Service Commission.
