Drainage problems resurface at Shippenville session

Council Vice President Mike Cotherman informed council he was given three estimates by Camby Construction in regard to fixing the drainage issue at the Early residence along North Third Street.

The first estimate involved installing 280 feet of 15-inch pipe parallel to the Earlys’ property to divert the water away at a cost of $6,450. The second estimate involved installing a 12-inch pipe of the same length at a cost of $5,610. The third estimate was for the installation of a water divergence ridge placed perpendicular to the Early property to divert water into a wooded area on the property.

Borough Council President Linda Duffee said since the drains are located on the Earlys’ property and not on borough property, the borough couldn’t use any of its liquid fuels money on the project.

“Well, take the drains off of our property and put them someplace else,” property owner Patty Early said in response to Duffee. “We shouldn’t have to deal with it. We have videos of when they came down from second (with the drains) and hooked into our property. It’s not right.”

Council member Steve Brosius said the borough should get two more estimates before moving forward with the project if they were talking about using borough funds.

Borough secretary Jacqui Blose said the council should contact the Clarion Conservation District to inspect the issue. Duffee said she would contact the conservation district.

Earlier in the meeting, Austin Wise who was representing Steve’s Bees alerted council there would be a survey performed on a property along Railroad Street. Wise said he and his partners purchased the property and wanted to remove some invasive species on the property and he wanted to see about getting a burning permit for the brush removal.

Wise also said the group was going to erect unobtrusive business signage pending approval by PennDOT.

Council approved purchasing a certificate of deposits with three month, six month and one year maturity with a fixed rate with Edward Jones. Duffee said she would approach the borough’s current CD holder Farmers National Bank to see if it would match the Edward Jones rate.

Council member Rose Schreckengost updated council on the Woodburn Park progress. She said they had received the new picnic tables for the pavilion, ordered the three spring riders, ordered new swing set chains and hooks and ordered rubber mulch for under the spring riders.

Schreckengost also said the bleachers purchased earlier this summer from a family in Knox were delivered to the softball field.

Council also discussed possibly rewiring the concession stand. Council didn’t think anything had been done to upgrade the concession stand since it was constructed.

Council also approved the purchase of a new volleyball net.

There was also a discussion regarding the accessibility of the softball field. Petronzio said it is hard for the elderly or those with disabilities to get down to the field from the hill side. Duffee said they could make a seating area up on the hill behind the bleachers to alleviate the problem.