Emporium boro working on drains

Continuing work to prevent flooding, members of the Emporium Borough crew this week dug up and cleaned out a "catch box" at the intersection of Third and Chestnut streets. Underground detection equipment from a consulting firm, Pipe Eye, identified the problem. James Moate photo

Borough Manager Don Reed updated Emporium Borough Council Monday on many efforts underway to eliminate flooding problems in the borough.

A contractor, Pipe Eye of Bradford has been vacuuming debris from undergrounds pipes at 18 separate locations along Fourth, Third and Chestnut streets. Pipe-Eye removed more than 12 tons of sand, cinders and gravel restricting water flow.

The company discovered that more than 500 gallons of water remained in one section along Chestnut Street. This blockage was caused also in part due to a build-up in a catch box at the intersection of Third and Chestnut. The borough crew was dispatched to clean out the box this week.

"There was a catch box there that nobody knew about," Reed explained. "It was installed before Tim Leydig became director of public works 12 years ago. It was covered up by plywood, shingles and a layer of concrete. Then it was paved over."

Borough workers installed a grate which will allow them to see if debris builds up again and permit easy access for clearing.

Leydig cautioned that the recent work only addresses a small part of Emporium's overall flooding problems. He said flooding is still a threat in the event of a severe storm.

In other business, Council: --heard from Leydig that a new recycling truck was purchased to collect leaves and other debris.

--agreed to begin drafting a ordinance prohibiting parking on Wood Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets.

--heard from Mayor Bruno Carnovale that trick or treat will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Satuday, Oct. 27.