West Lebanon Township considers stormwater pipe replacement

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

At Monday’s meeting, the West Lebanon Township Board of Commissioners discussed the potential need for stormwater pipe replacement on Lehman Street between 22nd and 25th streets.

The township can either install lining on the pipe for around $211,000 (which would require bidding) or accept a COSTARS contract for $185,000 to go underneath the pipe and replace it. Risks of the replacement include the risk of damaging nearby utilities while digging.

The maintenance, township secretary Antoinette Issis explained, is primarily preventative. Last year, she said, a pipe along 24th Street (connected to the Lehman Street pipe) had issues leading to a sinkhole.

Commissioners last discussed the replacement around a year ago but did not feel comfortable making a decision without first reviewing documents. The board will revisit the item next month.

In other news, commissioners:

• Held a public hearing concern the vacation of Scott Alley, which neighbors have requested, and unanimously agreed to move forward with plans to vacate the alley.
• Unanimously approved minutes and heard the following reports.
  • The township recently repaired cracked sealing on Guilford Street between 22nd and 25th streets, as well as fixed two manholes along the street.
  • Last month, the Lebanon County Regional Police Department had 81 calls in the township, issuing eight written warnings and reporting seven crimes in the township.
  • Last month, Speedwell Fire Company had six calls. The fire department’s siren installation is still on hold, as it is being installed by students at the CTC, who are currently on summer break.
  • The township used an average of 32,773 gallons of water per day in June. DEP completed an inspection of the township’s drinking water system and found no violations.
  • Heard that the pump station continues to receive flushed wipes and rags, and discussed the possibility of installing a grinder before the well for around $100,000 to prevent pumps from getting clogged. Despite the name, “flushable wipes” do not degrade fast enough to avoid causing issues in sewer system.
  • Heard that contractors have started work on the gaga pit, pickleball court, and basketball court at the park. Commissioners also heard that baby swings needed replacement due to use by people too old for the playground, which is designed for kids 8 and under. Commissioners continued to discuss reforming the recreation committee, which has not met in years.
  • Heard that code enforcement violations have been sent out for vehicles, grass, sanitation, and unregistered cats.
• Unanimously approved a resolution authorizing an intermunicipal agreement with North Lebanon Township to provide sanitary sewer service and associated billing for 26 units in the Homes for Life Development, or Magnolia Place.
• Unanimously approved a resolution adding Issis as a building code official for the township.

West Lebanon Township meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.