Walnutport's Borough Council discussed issues pertaining to the canal last week.

Walnutport Canal Association President Doug Boerher said he and three other association representatives attended the meeting to discuss a donated tract of land, demolition of an old boathouse, the future of Lock 24 and problems with Lock 23.Boerher said David Kaul had approached the association last month about a landlocked 1.5-acre piece of land, far north of North Railroad Street, located between the railroad tracks and the canal.He said it is being offered up for donation to the borough by the estate of John Hedmeck, provided the association pay the transfer fees and provide a bench and plaque in memory of Hedmeck.Council agreed the land would be a good acquisition and unanimously approved a motion for solicitor Michael Corriere to check if there are any liens on it first.Boerher then asked permission to demolish an old boathouse owned by the association along North Canal Street that he said has not been used in about 12 years. Council approved its demolition.In regard to Lock 24, Boerher asked where the association stands with permitting so restoration work can begin.Borough Engineer Jason Newhard said the Army Corps of Engineers has issued the permit, but they need to wait for a letter from the Department of Environmental Protection. As secretary and treasurer Annette Lacko pointed out, work could probably begin in the spring.Finally, in regard to Lock 23, which is near the locktender's house, Boerher said that the lock, "at full level, is making a thunderous noise."As a 35-year resident along South Canal Street, he said the noise is "a definite problem that was not there before any of the restorations, even in 1979 when they first put the spillway in," and he added that fellow neighbors are distraught about it.Mary Culp, who lives right next door to the lock, said, "It's loud, very loud, all night long, all day long."Boerher also said there is a leak in the lock's sidewall, and they would like engineers Spotts, Stevens & McCoy to come look at it.Borough Engineer Jason Newhard said he approached council about these issues in July, but council had not wanted him to spend time on them. On Thursday they unanimously approved a motion for an acoustics study of the lock.Council said it saw no problem with dogs being allowed on leashes at the upcoming canal festival Oct. 19 as long as the dogs do not get near food preparation and eating areas, such as the pavilion.Independent energy consultant Mike Petruska, who advises businesses and government on lighting and electrical options, followed up a visit by his partner in August. He informed council that though he believed he could still save the borough money by providing a reduced electricity rate, it would not be nearly as much as he had first supposed "because the majority of your usage is not really usage, it's a lease."He said the borough's biggest electricity bill is for its streetlights, at $2,600 per month, but that $1,900 of that amount is the cost it pays just to lease the lights, not the actual usage. Therefore, he could only save the borough about $2,000 per year.The borough said it will still consider the contract he provided.Livengood Excavators will begin oil and chipping in portions of the borough this week.