Nesquehoning is concerned that a railroad crossing in the Hauto Valley Estates in the area of Ninth Avenue was removed.

During the borough council meeting on Wednesday, John McArdle, borough emergency management coordinator and Nesquehoning Hose Company fire chief, asked council to send a letter to the Reading and Northern Railroad, which manages Carbon County-owned C & S Railroad, and Carbon County about the crossing being removed."That was in place for about 20 years," McArdle said, noting that this is the area near the pond, where a dry hydrant is located to help crews fight fires.Councilwoman Mary Fox said the committee met with the railroad this week and asked about it.She said that they said the crossing gate wasn't being used because the lock was rusted and no one had a key.McArdle said that it was used for fire training purposes twice in 2015."It serves as a safeguard for the residents in the estates," he said. "We can't throw the hose up over the bank (so it crosses the tracks.)"Council President David Hawk said that through the discussions with railroad officials, the railroad assumed not having continuing correspondence with the borough was saying that it was OK to remove.Council said it will open up a dialogue again about the subject.In other matters, council has sent plans for the second phase of the solar park project in the borough to its borough engineer for review.Solicitor Robert Yurchak said the company wants to have about $1 million of a $1.5 million bond released to them, but he feels that nothing should be released until everything is reviewed and it is determined there would be enough in escrow.The company has not upheld its end of phase I because no visitor center has been constructed and finishing the roads and curbing has not been completed.Councilman George Sabol III said that he was not in favor of releasing funds. He asked what the borough was getting in return for allowing the park to come in to the area because it is not receiving electricity from the panels.