Palmyra Borough’s fix of Melrose development stormwater problem stalls

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Palmyra Borough Council heard an update about ongoing stormwater concerns near the under-construction Melrose development at the May 13 meeting.

Borough manager Roger Powl said they brought the council-approved option to PennDOT and got some bad news.

Several months ago, council members regularly heard from nearby residents who said stormwater runoff was not being handled properly and was causing erosion on their land. In January, council voted to pay $25,000 out of its capital reserve to fix the issue.

Read More: Palmyra council approves stormwater management for Melrose development

The motion would have required the developer remove the existing drain tile pipe along the north side of East Ridge Road and install a new drainage and infiltration trench system to allow water to flow east along the north side of the road. The $25,000 price tag paid by the borough would have been the difference in cost between Park & Rec fee-in-lieu money and the cost of the fix.

Powl said PennDOT admitted they don’t have easements for the existing crosspipe under the road, and he said they likely don’t want it moved because they would then have to require those easements.

“They are OK if we do move it, but we’ve discussed with all the property owners,” he said during the meeting. “They’re not in favor, so we’re not going to be able to move it anywhere, so [PennDOT] will not let us abandon it in place.”

He said another option would be for the property owners to grant easements so they could take the pipe south and then west. If they don’t go along with this plan, he said council could consider eminent domain, though that would be an unpopular decision.

Another option would be for the property owners to file a civil case against PennDOT, Powl said.

“But as far as our deal with the builder at this point, unless you want to force something done there, I would have them pay our Park & Rec fees, and that’s that.”

Council did not make a decision on how they will move forward.

In other business, council: 

• Voted to pay Keefer Roofing $1,500 for two glass windows at the Palmyra Cemetery garage building and $1,985 to replace its soffit and fascia. Funds will come out of the cemetery fund.
• Is looking to review a possible ordinance or business regulation regarding electronic skill games to be discussed at the next meeting.

Palmyra Borough Council will meet next at 325 S. Railroad St. on May 27 at 7 p.m. Meetings are also streamed on the Palmyra Borough, Lebanon County Pennsylvania YouTube page.