Tropical Storm Isaias cut a swath of destruction through southeastern Berks County and northwestern Montgomery County.  Municipalities in the region are struggling to cope with damage that ranges from downed trees on public roads to roads made impassable due to flooding. 

            Last Thursday night, Washington Township Board of Supervisors held a special meeting to decide how to repair roads that were undermined by flooding after 6.5 inches of rain fell on the township. 

            Groff Road, Heydt's School House Road and Forgedale Road were damaged by the surge of water onto their surfaces.  Currently, Groff Road is destroyed and closed to traffic.  The supervisors discussed basically rebuilding the road that has been undermined by flooding.  There are natural springs that run beneath Groff Road. 

            Additionally, the repair of the road is complicated by "soft spots" under its surface.  The supervisors stressed their priority over the next few weeks is the reconstruction of Groff Road. 

            Township Chairman Dave Moyer explained, "The township's job is to ensure the public can navigate safely over township roads." 

            The township intends to remove the blacktop on Groff Road, find the "soft spots" and put at least a first coat on the road so that it is passable. 

            Emergency vehicles and fire trucks cannot use the road because of its present condition.  The township will begin preliminary work on the road next week.  The following week reconstruction will begin in earnest. 

            The board decided to economize by using township work crews and most of its own equipment.  It will lease some equipment, if necessary.  Repairs are not expected to exceed   $37,000.  On occasion, neighboring municipalities share equipment.  However, most municipalities in the region also have damage to their infrastructures and cannot lend their equipment. 

            Heydt School House Road requires some repairs, but it is open and is passable.  Work will be performed on it once Groff Road is repaired.  At present Forgedale Road is closed to traffic.  Forgedale Road is a state road.  Washington Township is not responsible for its maintenance.  PennDOT has not formally notified Washington Township when it expects repairs to begin or to be completed.  However, Township Manager Rich Sichler noted PennDOT has begun some preliminary work on the road. 

            Complicating matters for local municipalities, neither Berks County nor the state have declared a disaster because storm damage was localized, not statewide.  If the state or Berks County does eventually declare a disaster, municipalities would be eligible through Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) for disaster funds or reimbursement for funds expended for cleanup.

            As a result of the state and Berks County not declaring a disaster, the supervisors extended its Declaration of a State of Emergency.  A Declaration of a State of Emergency permits a municipality to order necessary repairs without seeking competitive public bids from the lowest responsible bidder.  Township Chairman Moyer noted if the township waited to put the work on Groff Road out to bid it would take time.  Moyer estimated the cost to repair Groff Road would be approximately $100,000 if it was submitted for public bidding.

            In other matters, the supervisors will hold a conditional use hearing for Kelly Builders and Shadeland Development's application for the construction of a clubhouse on land they own on Kutztown Road and Schwenkenfelder Roads.  The conditional use hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 27 prior to the regular board meeting at 7 p.m.