Lock Haven City Council Meeting Hears Water Leak Concerns Raised by Castanea Residents

By Emily Wright

LOCK HAVEN – Castanea residents attended Monday night’s Lock Haven City Council meeting to express their concerns about water leaks that are impacting Mackey Avenue and West Keller Street residences. With multiple properties affected by the water and no clear source of the leak, residents urged the City to take action. In addition to these concerns, requests to use city-owned property for various purposes were presented and approved. The meeting also saw the passing of three resolutions related to the Community Development Block Grant program.

Two different Castanea residents opened the meeting by voicing their concerns about water leaks that have affected their properties, which are located on Mackey Avenue and West Keller Street.

Brady Carnahan, a Castanea resident and Lock Haven city taxpayer, requested that the city address a water leak that is causing damage to his properties on Mackey Avenue, and has gotten worse in recent weeks. Carnahan owns three homes on one block of Mackey Avenue, two of which now have significant amounts of water flooded into their basements as a result of the ongoing leak issue in Castanea, and he mentioned that when he checked up on the two properties on Monday, he noticed a stream of water flowing down Mackey Avenue. Carnahan explained that the water in both basements was tested and the results indicated that it contained fluoride, which rules out a variety of potential sources such as a spring.

Carnahan noted that the Castanea Township Supervisors sent a letter to the Lock Haven City Council last week about several properties that have been impacted by water leaks. He asked if there is a time frame in which he can expect someone to assess the problem and repair the damages caused by water collecting in the two basements, and expressed his hope to discuss the issue and get it squared away.

“It can’t be squared away until we find the actual leak,” City Manager Greg Wilson replied. “The water crews have been doing leak detection, but have not figured out the source yet, so they will continue to look for that,” he added.

Tim Fulger, another Castanea resident, addressed the city council about the same issue. His residence is on the corner of Mackey Avenue and West Keller Street, and he explained that he has been watching the water over the last few months and believes he knows where it is coming from. Fulger reports that the amount of water on his property has increased significantly, flooding his yard to the point that he can’t mow his lawn.

In a letter dated April 4, 2024, Castanea Township Supervisors asked Greg Wilson and the Lock Haven City Council to follow up on specific locations in the township that have been impacted by water line breaks and leaks. The supervisors stated in their letter that many of the affected areas date back to last year when they were notified that no contractor was available to repair the issues. They listed 13 different addresses in Castanea that are affected by the water issue and asked that repairs be completed by July 1, 2024. “We would appreciate a prompt response, as none has been received by calling to address this issue,” the letter stated.

City Manager Greg Wilson reported that the water department will be checking those areas again on Tuesday of this week to try to locate the source of the leak, and he ensured that they will continue their efforts to find the source of the water on Mackey Avenue and Keller Street where residents have complained about water damages to their property.

Several requests to use city-owned property were approved during the meeting, starting with the Keystone Central School District and Commonwealth University-Lock Haven joint homecoming parade. Councilmembers voted unanimously in favor of the homecoming parade, which is set for Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The parade route will begin at the corner of Henderson Street and Main Street and continue to West Main Street.

Rose Reeder requested the use of Triangle Park in downtown Lock Haven on Saturday, April 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for a Tai Chi demonstration with her friends who also participate in recognizing World Tai Chi Day and QiGong Day according to the use request she submitted. On a motion made by Council Member Brannan, seconded by Council Member Masorti, and carried unanimously, the request was approved.

Another request to use Triangle Park was made by Aly DiCostanzo of Two Maidens, LLC. DiCostanzo requested to install a May Day pole in the park for the month of May to signify the coming of summer and the end of spring. According to the use request form, the May Day pole “will be affixed with ribbons in various colors in tradition with historic ceremonies”.

DiCostanzo was present at the meeting to provide more information about the installation. “It’s just a big pole and it’s going to stick out of the ground and be covered with greenery and ribbons,” she explained. “It’s signifying fertility, the coming of summer, and hopefully next year we want to actually start a May Day celebration as well, but this is our first step,” she added. On a motion made by council member Brannan, seconded by council member Alexander, and carried unanimously, the request was approved.

DuWayne Kunes, General Chairperson of the Lock Haven Regatta Foundation, submitted a request to use the amphitheater and power supply that is used for the summer concert series in Lock Haven. The request to use the amphitheater is to host boat races similar to those featured during the Labor Day Regatta each year. With unanimous approval by city council members, boat racing will be coming back to Lock Haven on Saturday, May 11th, and Sunday, May 12th.

The unfinished business portion of the meeting’s agenda included consideration of Ordinance No. 2024-01: Assigning Excavation Permits from the Director of Public Works back to the Code Enforcement Office. This ordinance makes changes to the city’s regulations for digging or excavating in streets and public areas, and it requires anyone wanting to do so to obtain a permit from the city’s Public Works Director or Code Enforcement Office and follow specific guidelines. The ordinance states that any violations of its provisions will result in a fine of “not more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days”. The ordinance was passed unanimously during the meeting.

City Planner Abbey Roberts attended the meeting Monday night to present three resolutions for adoption regarding compliance with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, which provides funding for eligible community development activities such as housing rehabilitation, public services, community facilities, infrastructure improvement, development, and planning.

The Fair Housing Resolution reaffirms the city’s commitment to fair housing practices, prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, religion, family status, handicap, age, ancestry, and use of guide or support animals.

The second resolution updates the Citizen Participation Plan and states guidelines for how the City will involve its citizens in the planning of projects that are funded by the CDBG Program. It also emphasizes the importance of involving low and moderate-income, minority, and disabled citizens in the decision-making process.

The third resolution appoints the City Planner as the “Section 504 Compliance Officer”, who ensures that the City is following federal regulations and providing equal access to people with disabilities. City Planner Abbey Roberts currently serves as the Section 504 Compliance Officer and will continue in this role for the coming year, as all three resolutions were passed unanimously during the meeting.