On Tuesday night, Bally Borough Council engaged a new engineering firm, Spotts, Stevens, & McCoy to replace Systems Design Engineering.  Additionally, Bally Borough Council engaged Kraft Code Services to serve as its' zoning officer and code enforcement inspector. 

            Brian Hassinger, PE, Senior Project Manager, Spotts, Stevens, & McCoy, gave a lengthy report to the borough council that explained how the new engineering firm intends to assist the borough.  Hassinger assured the borough council that he has read the borough ordinances and toured its wastewater treatment plant.  He said, "The plant looks good.  Nate Heffner is doing a good job." 

            Hassinger recommended that meters be placed on Manholes #7, 106, and 118 so that the borough can detect when there is high water flow through its sewer lines after a heavy rain.  Hassinger explained the meters will assist the borough to reduce infiltration and inflow (I and I) into its sewer system.  The cost for the meters will be approximately $10,000.  The borough council agreed to the expense. 

            Hassinger also recommended Manhole #7 at the wastewater treatment plant be videoed and a light cleaning done at a cost of approximately $10,120.  Hassinger noted the line is 60-year-old vitrified clay.  If it is cleaned, it is possible that 800,000 to 1 million gallons of water could flow through the line. 

`           The borough council agreed to contract Mr. Rehab Company to perform the cleaning.

            In other matters, the new engineer told the borough council he looked at the water agreement Bally has with Washington Township that expires in September 2018.  The agreement was for a 20 year term. 

            Borough Solicitor, Matt Doll, noted the agreement has an automatic renewal.  There is no termination in the agreement and it will renew at the same rate.  Doll explained the borough cannot write a new agreement with Washington Township.  However, if Washington Township wants to end the agreement it must notify Bally Borough and give six months' notice. 

            Additionally, Hassinger recommended the borough consider education to inform its residents not to have roof drains and sump pumps flow into the borough's sewer system.  He also recommended the borough educate its non-residential property owners about chemicals such as antifreeze that could end up in the borough sewer system. 

            The new engineer requested the borough agree to a service contract of $1,500 per month for engineering questions that take less than 8 hours.  Hassinger noted his firm spent 78 engineering hours during the transition period.  Hassinger said Spotts, Stevens, & McCoy will not charge Bally for its time during the transition period.

            John Sarto, Gilmore Associates, informed the borough council that because of inclement weather, a planned temporary driveway on the Schuler property could not be constructed.  The temporary driveway will permit large equipment access to do drilling tests for a proposed new borough well. 

            Sartor informed the borough council the Pennsylvania Fish and Wildlife Commission noted there are no environmental issues such as bog turtles on the property.  Sartor said, "As soon as the rainy weather ends, and the pump test is completed, it will take approximately 4 weeks for the lab results to determine the water quality." 

            Borough Solicitor Doll noted, Washington Township will permit the Schuler property, which is located in Washington Township, to be subdivided so that Bally Borough can acquire a new well.

            Solicitor Doll also reported that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested that Arcadus Engineering construct a 400-foot deep well on borough property to monitor borough water quality on a quarterly basis.  The well will be located between the borough pool and the street.  It will be covered by a 2 foot by 2 foot concrete pad.  Arcadus Engineering will assume all costs for the project.

            In other matters, the borough will pursue legal action against a property owned by JP Morgan Bank located on North 7th Street that is in a blighted condition.

            Bally Borough Recreation Committee hopes to have a summer festival.  It is seeking volunteers to work at the event.  A date and time have not been determined