Bally Borough Engineer Brian Hassinger, P.E., Spotts, Stevens, & McCoy, informed the borough council on Tuesday night that the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) placed on Bally by the Department of Environmental Protection  (DEP) can be eased somewhat. 

            For several years, the DEP CAP placed a moratorium on sewer connections in the borough.  Hassinger informed the borough council that DEP will permit 20 Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) for sewer connections beginning in 2019.  Bally will be permitted 10 EDUs and Washington Township, with whom Bally has an agreement for some sewer connections, will be permitted an additional 10 EDUs.

            Last month, Bally advertised for bid Phase 1 and 2 of a contract to repair some of its Infiltration and Inflow (I&I) into its storm sewer system.  Borough Engineer Hassinger noted, "I&I is a continual fix."  The borough has two options to repair sewer lines where manholes are popping during a heavy rain event. 

            The first option entails the repair of sewer lines and the video of five feet of the storm sewer line.  The second option includes all of the first option repairs plus the video of 20 feet of the sewer line.  The borough council directed Hassinger to ask the apparent low bidder for the project, SWERP, for a proposal to replace the sewer lines and video 20 feet as opposed to five feet. 

            Council President, Glenn Mutter, said, "I am not comfortable just videoing five feet.  The borough spent two plus million dollars on repairs to the sewer lines.  I do not want to short change us."  Mutter explained he would like a better idea of the price before he agreed to the contract.  

            In another matter, Upper Hanover Township resident Gregg Foster presented copies of a very preliminary concept plan to Bally Borough Council that Developer Richard Mingey would like to build on property he owns along Schwenkfelder Road in Washington Township. 

            Foster explained he is concerned for the safety of himself and his neighbors because the road adjacent to his property and Mingey's land has sight distance problems. He noted there was a bad accident along the road just last weekend. 

            He expressed concern that if 236 age-targeted homes were built on the property there is the potential that 472 vehicles could utilize the road.  Foster explained there is a small bridge that is difficult for a school bus and a car to cross at the same time. Additionally, he would like a "no build zone" not a "no fly zone" as reported by this reporter last week in this newspaper that would protect pilots and residents near the Butter Valley Golf/Airport. 

            Foster expressed his concern about water run off if the development were approved because in the conceptual plan there is no provision for retention basins.  He asked the borough council if they were concerned about the potential addition of 236 housing units into the borough sewer system.

            Bally Borough Solicitor Jeff Karver, explained to Foster that most of the issues he raised would be addressed by Washington Township because the property is located there.  

            A resident of Dogwood Court requested the borough look into the repair of some significant cracks in the road. He noted many of the cracks were very wide. Borough Manager Wendy Mutter explained the final course of blacktop had not been applied to the street.  The borough council will research if there is a maintenance bond from the builder that would defray the cost to repair the cracks.  

            The borough council agreed to retain the services of Hydro Tech Environmental Services for one year to haul sludge from its sewer plant.  The new contract is expected to save the borough approximately $7,600 each year. 

            Borough Solicitor Matt Doll resigned from his position as the borough solicitor.  He was replaced by the former borough solicitor Jeff Karver.  

            Borough Councilman Matt Merry resigned his seat on the council.  The borough council appointed Joel Pilgert to replace Merry.  Pilgert has been a resident of Bally for five years.  

            Mutter announced that Bally's pool is open.