Palmerton Borough Council once again rejected an Environmental Protection Agency well-drilling plan when it failed to address issues of contamination and liability.

“The EPA wants to drill some test wells to determine any possible contamination,” said William Gallagher, chairman of the sewer, solid waste and water committee.

EPA has submitted a plan to drill 15 to 16 wells in the NJZ east plant area. Some will be located in the borough and some in Lower Towamensing.

“The thing is, if they do drill the well and contaminate our water supply, we’re in deep trouble. They won’t accept any responsibility,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher presented a letter from Jonathan Siller, chairman of the Palmerton Municipal Authority, who recommended rejecting the Supplemental Groundwater Investigation Workplan, which was submitted on Feb. 1.

“Two essential negative elements remain unchanged from the original plan. The first is the lack of a contingency plan for a water supply should contamination occur from the proposed drillings. The second is the lack of assumed liability, leaving the authority to spend significant time and money proving fault,” Siller wrote.

The board followed the authority’s advice, unanimously voting against the plan.

Water leak

Gallagher and borough manager Rodger Danielson confirmed that there is still a water leak within the East Plant property.

Danielson said that equipment has been set up to monitor the water supply and locate the leak, though the terrain of the East Plant has made the search difficult.

“The problem is, so much of that area is filled with cinders, and if there’s an underground water leak, it filters away. It’s hard to find. It doesn’t surface,” he said.

Palmerton was affected by several leaks in the water system over the winter, with water pooling in several areas throughout the borough. Danielson reported that the pump system is currently working at a stable rate.

“The water department’s pumping rates have normalized by and large after several leaks were identified and repaired,” Danielson said.

Demolition

Borough Council approved the purchase of 509 Lehigh Ave. at a price of $72,000. The current owners will continue to live there for the time being, paying a month-to-month rent of $400 until they vacate the property.

Danielson said that once the family leaves the home, it will most likely be demolished. Plans for the property may include keeping it open for future expansion of the fire department, or additional parking.

Paving

CDBG grant funding will be used to pave the 600, 700 and 800 blocks of West Princeton Avenue, along with the 100 block of Avenue A. The township engineer is currently working on plans for the projects.

Street sweeping will go into effect on April 2.

Spring hydrant flushing will begin next month. Residents may experience low flow rates during this time.

Council member Holly Sell said that she wishes to remind residents that they are responsible for cleaning their pets’ waste within the borough.

“You can be fined for that if someone does report you. Please come prepared to clean up after your animal in the borough,” she said.

Vice President Kris Hoffner advised that residents should begin to look into cleaning up winter and fall debris in their yards within the coming weeks.