Council discusses flood control
CARMICHAELS – Carmichaels Borough Council agreed Tuesday to seek a second quote for the removal of a large tree that had fallen into Muddy Creek.
The tree along Crooked Alley, which is a closed alley, fell during a recent storm. Council is concerned the tree might dam water in the creek, which could lead to flooding.
Borough secretary Brandi Streit told council she had talked to one contractor about removing the tree and he had estimated the cost at between $750 and $1,300.
She said she had called another contractor to get a quote but he had not returned her call. Councilman Ralph McWilliams said he would help make calls to obtain another quote.
A resident attending the meeting, Jim Markulik of Old Town, also suggested the borough contact the prison’s community services program to see if a crew of inmates could be sent to help clean debris from the creek to prevent flooding problems.
Streit reported she also had called the county to remove tree limbs that had fallen on the Carmichaels Covered Bridge. County employees came to the bridge the same day, but said they would need a bucket truck to remove the limbs.
The borough can’t perform any work on the bridge, which is the responsibility of the county, Streit said. Borough maintenance worker Jim Petrone will pick up litter at the bridge, but when there is a problem at the bridge, the borough contacts the county and it responds promptly, she said.
Markulik also asked whether the borough could vary the times borough police patrol the area, noting that young people sometimes congregate at the covered bridge and seem to know when police will be in the area.
He also asked whether Cumberland Township police could be asked to patrol the area when borough police are not on duty.
Council president Charles Walker said police Chief Mike Gyurke would be asked to alternate his patrols. He also told Markulik council is discussing a possible agreement to have township police help patrol the borough.
Council announced in April that it was discussing with the township the possibility of having township police patrol in the borough.
Council voted to purchase a machine to paint lines on borough streets. Petrone said the machine costs only about $120. The borough now paints the lines with a roller. Petrone said the machine paints a nice straight line and would allow him to complete the job much faster than it now takes.
Asked about borough office hours, Streit said the office is normally open from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., though that varies. She said she often has to vary her lunch break if work needs to be completed and also must leave the office on borough errands, for example, to go to the bank or post office.