SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The state Department of Transportation and the borough seem to be getting along better regarding the Route 61 widening project.
The municipality and PennDOT had some disagreement in the past over relocation costs for the $11,660,854 project, which will add two lanes on the road through the borough.
PennDOT and the borough have come to an understanding on the relocation costs associated with the widening project that has PennDOT paying 75 percent reimbursement to the borough for all costs involving relocating electric, water and sewer utilities in the public right-of-way in the borough, borough manager Scott Graver said.
A written agreement has not been signed yet. Graver said that could occur by June.
"It's all estimates," he said of the costs.
The council approved a resolution in January regarding the percentage amount but that still means the borough has to pay for 25 percent of the costs. Graver did not say how much that could amount to Wednesday.
"The project is scheduled to move ahead now. I don't believe there is any turning back at this point," he said.
A letter from project engineer Brian J. Weidman, director of the Bureau of Project Delivery for PennDOT, said the secretary of transportation has agreed to the 75 percent amount. However, the letter states that certain conditions must be met to get that amount.
Those conditions include all required information for the project shall be submitted to the PennDOT by April 29 and that the utility reimbursement agreement be signed no later than June 17, according to the letter.
If those conditions are not met, PennDOT will only pay 25 percent, less any betterment, the letter says.
In other news, two part-time police officers the council approved hiring in February were sworn in by Mayor Mike Devlin at Wednesday's meeting.
Paul Olson III, 32, of Pottsville, and Matthew Cavallo, 22, of Reading, recently started with the department.
Olson was formerly with the Pottsville Police Department but was laid off from the force in December. Cavallo recently graduated from the Reading Police Academy.
Also, possible signs for Schuylkill Transportation System in the borough was discussed.
STS wants to put 23 different signs in the borough, council President Marlin Berger Jr. said.
Graver said there are a lot of signs exist in the borough.
"Signs are an issue every week in the borough," he said. He suggested it be referred to the highway committee.
The Mayor's Advisory Committee scheduled for Monday was not held because of the bad weather. Another date will be announced at a later date, Devlin said.
Council member Ruth Tucci said residents with items using plugs will be recycled in the borough April 10. Items are to be taken to the paper recycling center on Saint Charles Street, near the sewage treatment plant. According to the February borough newsletter, those items can include air conditioners and refrigerators.
For additional information, call the borough office at 570-385-2841.
She also mentioned playgrounds in the borough that need upkeep.
Pastor Shawn VanDyke of the First United Church of Christ, Schuylkill Haven, and some members of the church will paint a fence and plant trees the first Saturday in May at a playground on Garfield Avenue.