With this winter's many snowfalls and cold weather hopefully behind it, the Borough of Slatington's Water/Sewer/Highway Workshop Committee looked toward road repairs and sewer repairs this spring.

Borough council President Daniel Stevens noted that police Chief David Rachman had mentioned at last Monday's council meeting that Center Alley was in need of repair due to frost heaves created by the recent months' cold weather and subsequent thawing.The alley runs in front of the police station, which is located on the bottom floor of South Walnut Street's borough hall.Highway Committee Chairman Galen Freed said he had gotten a quote from Livengood Excavators Inc., of Walnutport, for paving 125 feet of the alley, including the police canopy. However, he noted that because the cost will exceed $19,100, the job will need to go out for bid.Indeed, during a TV interview that aired just last week, Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Barry J. Schoch stated that likely more state roads than ever before will be in need of repair this spring because of this winter's exceedingly cold weather, plus plentiful snowfalls and cleanup efforts.In addition, Water/Special Sewer Committee chairman Bryon Reed said he recently became aware of some Pennsylvania Department of Transportation money geared toward transportation-related repairs and upgrades, such as to roads and even trails, sidewalks and more.Reed suggested that, if received, the money may be able to be applied toward the 100 Steps project, which includes drainage, overlook and rehabilitation issues and has been on the borough's agenda for quite some time.Though he acknowledged the deadline for the grant application is early April, he said he has taken steps to apply for it and hopes that at least some of the $1.27 million earmarked for these types of Pennsylvania municipality endeavors will be received by the borough."So maybe if we do something smaller, we might get some," Reed noted. He added that "it seemed too good to pass up."In other news, Sewer Chairman Bob Steets said that, though he had previously thought a lid problem with one of the wastewater treatment plant's digesters might best be corrected by having the lid glued down, he now feels it is more advisable to have a rubber seal placed around it instead.Steets also said that Flow Data Industries LLC recently removed the Helisieve gearbox at the plant. He then added that the company, which is located in Bally, is not only close, but that he is impressed by it and that it "got a lot up and running so far."