Walnutport plans to take safety measures on a section of a dugout that has been deemed a safety hazard.

Brian Filchner, president of the Walnutport Playground Association, asked borough council last week what plans are for the dugout at its athletic fields on Lincoln Avenue.Filchner said the dugout itself is fine, but that the lower dugout wall is falling in and collapsing."The issue is the part that sticks out," Filchner said. "The actual structure of the dugout where the kids sit isn't."Filchner said kids climb up and stand on top of the flat area of the dugout.Council President Matthew Newhard said, "I know we need to do something with the dugout."Councilman Michael Gaston said the matter was a dangerous situation."If it's dangerous right now, then it should be off limits," Gaston said. "Then basically you shouldn't use it."Council decided to put a safety railing on top of the dugout to keep the kids off it.Council agreed to apply for a matching grant in July. The other $3,000 would come from the borough and the playground association, each of which would contribute $1,500.In other business, council, on a 6-0 vote, with Councilman Harold Greene absent:• Agreed to submit an application to use $188,884 in Community Development Block Grant funds for work on Lehigh Street. The work will consist of water main replacement, as well as street restoration and overlay from Main Street to the end of the street of the Walnutport Canal pavilion.• Hired Antonio Tramonte as a part-time police officer.• Announced that open seats exist on the borough's Uniform Construction Code and Property Maintenance Committee, Vacancy Board Committee and Recreation Board Committee.• Announced that an e-recycling event will be held from 4-7 p.m. May 20.