Politics & Government

Sidewalk Work Questioned, Criticized at Council Meeting

At Borough Council's July 5 meeting, resident and Hellertown Plaza Clock Association member Joe Delfoe was critical of work recently done next to the plaza by a PennDOT contractor, and the timing of the ramps' installation was also questioned.

Although the area around Hellertown Borough Hall will be extensively redeveloped as part of a planned improvement project next year, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently approved the installation of new handicapped ramps around the building and across Easton Road at .

The ramps were installed by a PennDOT contractor several weeks ago, but have proven detrimental to the carefully-kept public space maintained by a small group of dedicated volunteers, the Hellertown Plaza Clock Association's Joe Delfoe told Borough Council July 5.

"That is one of the last things left in Hellertown that is Hellertown," Delfoe said of the small circular plaza that houses both a fountain and .

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Specifically, Delfoe said, the design of the new ramps has caused water runoff issues at the plaza, and several council members agreed with his assessment.

"They ruined the water flow right there," said Council President Phil Weber during a discussion.

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Several council members wanted to know why the ramps were installed this year, when they will have to be torn out for construction at the intersection of Easton Road and Main Street next year.

Borough Engineer Bryan Smith explained that the work needed to be done according to PennDOT's schedule and in order to remain in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Not having the new ramps installed would have been "too much liability for the borough," Smith said.

Councilwoman Gail Nolf expressed frustration over the fact that numerous handicapped ramps in the borough have been installed and then removed in recent years, in order to be in compliance with ADA rules and regulations that Zoning and Codes Enforcement Officer Joe Chernaskey said "keep changing almost monthly."

"I am just so amazed at how much money the state wastes, and they claim they have no money for education...," Nolf said.

"We continually have problems with designs from the state that don't do what they're supposed to do," she added.

Smith said that one manner of possible recourse would be to issue a complaint "saying that (the water run-off) is an issue that's resulted from the project" to the contractor that installed the ramps around Borough Hall and the plaza.

Borough Manager Cathy Kichline said she planned to show State Rep. Bob Freeman (D-136) the problem spots, and also take photos in order to document the issues.

Delfoe said during his remarks that he had already contacted Freeman.

Weber recommended that both Smith and Kichline follow through on their plans, and added that in the meantime Delfoe should work with Director of Public Works Tom Henshaw in order to prevent further run-off related damage to the plaza.

Delfoe estimated that it would cost about $1,000 to make repairs, but funds are available, council said.

"Let's do (the work) before we lose it, because that (plaza) is the centerpiece of this borough," council Vice President John Bate said.

As of July 12, a low retaining wall was under construction along the south side of the plaza, between the sidewalk and the grass that encircles the fountain.

The wall is adjacent to where one of the new handicapped ramps was installed, at the north corner of Easton Road and Main Street.


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