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BOROUGH OF EDINBORO NEWSLETTER

Volume. III,1

124 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA 16412 Phone: (814) 734-1812 Fax: (814) 734-4492 E-mail: edinboro@edinboro.net

PADEP v. Edinboro Court Update

As of this writing, the Borough and Municipal Authority remain open to discussing with PADEP-Meadville a realistic, real-world, fact-based amicable settlement of outstanding legal issues. On the other hand, our appeal of the adverse November 14, 2003 decision of the PA Environmental Hearing Board (PAEHB) is on the Commonwealth Court calendar. Edinboro officials have been informed that, because of the statewide ramifications of the PAEHB decision, both the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities and the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association intend to file “friend of the court” briefs and/or intervene in our appeal. While Edinboro officials believed all along in the position taken by the Borough and the Municipal Authority, the support of these statewide groups is much appreciated and, hopefully, will receive the attention of the Court.

With respect to the “stay” requested by Edinboro on January 27, 2004 and granted by Commonwealth Court, we have met our commitments to the Court. On February 23, 2004, we delivered to PADEP-Meadville further documentation that our sanitary sewer collection and conveyance system is not hydraulically overloaded pursuant to Chapter 94 regulations. As of this writing, PADEP-Meadville has yet to respond to the documentation. Furthermore, Edinboro has continued to strive within the Edinboro/Franklin/

Washington Township Joint Planning Commission to develop a plan which addresses the public sewage service in our area. In fact, a schematic plan has been developed which is acceptable in principal to the members of the Joint Planning Commission. Unfortunately, PADEP-Meadville has indicated to Washington Township, but not to Edinboro, that the PADEP staff has a reservation about this schematic plan relating to Maple Drive. Washington Township has conveyed PADEP-Meadville’s reservation to Edinboro officials. Our review concludes that this reservation does not stand up in light of the aforementioned February 23, 2004 report in particular.

Edinboro managerial, legal, engineering and operational officials repeatedly have requested PADEP-Meadville to meet to identify and discuss the details used by PADEP-Meadville to place the December 16, 2003 ban on new or increased sewerage tap-ins throughout the Borough. As of this writing, PADEP-Meadville has refused to do so. Edinboro officials continue to believe the physical conditions which are a necessary prerequisite to a lawful ban do not exist; as of this writing, PADEP-Meadville has yet to demonstrate that they do.

As of this writing, the process of appealing the December 16, 2003 ban and the December 16, 20034 civil penalty continues. A hearing date has not yet been set.

Garage & Craft Sale

May 21 and May 22, 2004

The second annual Garage & Craft Sale will be held at the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Hall. Hours are:

Friday 12:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Saturday 9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Bag Sale – Saturday 2:00 P.M.

Proceeds benefit your public library

For information or pickup of your donations call: 734-2833, 734-1225 or 734-7495.

EMTA Bus Service – Edinboro

As you may well be aware, Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority inaugurated shuttle bus service early this year within the EUP campus, in areas within the Borough and in some areas beyond the Borough, such as to Wal-Mart. This pilot program service is sponsored by PennDOT, EUP Student Government Association and the Home Rule Borough of Edinboro, among others. EMTA officials are very interested in receiving feedback from our non-student residents as well as our student residents. Please take the time to contact Amy (459-8922) or Lisa (452-2801) at EMTA with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions. They will be appreciated.

Channel 3 Update

Borough officials continue to explore expanding the use of Edinboro government cable channel 3. Some equipment has been obtained and reconditioned, and Edinboro Regional Community Services, Inc. will serve initially as the 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation umbrella. Guidelines are being prepared for review.

Bathhouse Project Update

Based upon preliminary architectural estimates, the Borough programmed $100,000.00 for a bathhouse replacement structure and demolished the old building last Fall, intending to construct the replacement this Spring/Summer. Unfortunately, the four bids received this April ranged from $187,000.00 to $206,843. The Building, Streets and Grounds Committee of Council and Borough staff met architect Bob Marz April 19^th to review the bidding. The unanimous recommendation was for Council to reject the four bids, to modify the specifications and to rebid prior to Labor Day in hope of beginning and finishing the replacement this Fall.

Library Update

Friends of the General McLane Area Community Library had productive meetings with the Erie County Executive, several Erie County Council members and Erie County Public Library System representatives in February and March. Whether future library services are to be in our area as a system branch or an independent library, considerable money must be forthcoming from area residents to accomplish either. The Greater Edinboro Area Garage Sale II on May 21^st and 22^nd at the Edinboro Fire Hall needs volunteers. Please call to volunteer your services, or for more information, call Friends President Emma Williams at 734-4226.

Special Trash Pickup May 8, 2004 5:30 A.M.

HOME RULE

BOROUGH OF EDINBORO NEWSLETTER

Volume. II,2

124 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA 16412 Phone: (814) 734-1812 Fax: (814) 734-4492
E-mail: edinboro@edinboro.net

Borough Council Election

In November 2003, Edinboro voters will elect three new Council members in the general election. Current members Caroline Rhodes, Paul Snyder and Robert Gray will complete their terms but not seek re-election.

As a result of the May primary, two candidates for Council seats will be on the ballot, former Mayor Kip Allen and Robert Cogan. Residents who wish to serve on Council may obtain information on write-in procedures from the Erie County Courthouse Voter Registration Bureau (814) 451-6275.

Committee Vacancies

Citizen advisory committees or commissions assist Council in important ways. Currently there is a vacancy on the Environmental Shade Tree Advisory Committee and also one on the Zoning Hearing Board. The Shade Tree Committee makes recommendations about the addition or removal of trees and about environmental concerns in the Borough. The Zoning Hearing Board hears appeals from property owners regarding changes to their property.

Interested residents are encouraged to pick up an application at the Borough office. No experience needed. Volunteer!

4^th of July Celebration in Edinboro

Activities begin at 10:00 A.M. with the traditional Lakeside Association parade of decorated bikes and trikes. Swim races and games for all ages will follow at Pat Crawford Beach. Competitors in the swim race across the lake must register by 10:00 A.M. and have a non-motorized escort boat. The Edinboro Area Fireworks Committee sponsored opening ceremonies will begin at noon. There will be food and craft vendors, games and amusements as well as musical groups performing on stage at Billings Park until dark when the spectacular fireworks display will light up the sky above Edinboro Lake.

Parking will be available at Lakeside Commons, the Edinboro Elementary School, St. Augustine’s Church and Our Lady of the Lake Church parking lots. Shuttle buses will take you right to the festivities and avoid congestion on Lakeside. Part of Lakeside Drive will be closed to traffic.

Contributions to the festival and fireworks display may be made to Edinboro Area Fireworks, Inc., P.O. Box 188, Edinboro, PA 16412.

Edinboro Area Day –Seawolves Baseball

Sunday, July 27, 2003 is Edinboro Day at the Seawolves game. Coupons for free tickets will be available at the Borough office as well as at many local merchants and Edinboro University.

Library Garage Sale

The recent Edinboro Area Library Garage Sale was a huge success! This two-day event filled the Lakeside Commons area with vendors and shoppers. Everyone was very generous with donations, and we filled about thirty tables with books, small appliances, TV’s and computers.

Almost $5,000.00 was realized from this event, but the major focus was awareness of the need to save the library for the Edinboro area. We will keep the library, in fact, hopefully move it to a larger and more accessible location.

A special thanks to Lakeside Commons, especially Kristie Radecki, Mall Manager, for working closely with the Library Steering Committee. Also, a special thanks to everyone from the service and club organizations giving time to ensure the success of this event. We are hoping that “in kind” services from businesses will provide the necessary assistance for relocating and enlarging our library.

Hopefully, the next fundraiser will occur in September in the mall area, showing everyone the size and types of new rooms available to children and seniors.

Contributions continue to arrive for our Edinboro Area Library Fund and anyone can make a tax deductible gift by sending a check payable to: E.K.F., Library Fund, P.O. Box 144, Edinboro, PA 16412. Let’s Save Our Library!

Edinboro Fire Department

The Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department is seeking adult and youth members to provide emergency service and support within our community. Last year your fire department responded to over 900 emergency calls, assisted with community events and held it own activities that included it Sportsmen’s Raffle and the annual Chicken Barbecue. Currently, we have thirty-five members who are actively involved in the Department, and we need more assistance.

The Department has four classifications of membership that are: Active, Allied, Support Service and Junior. Active members hold primary membership with EVFD in providing emergency services and support for the business operations of the Department in the areas of Fire/Rescue, Emergency Medical Services or Fire Police services. Allied members hold a primary membership with another Fire or EMS department and are frequently in the community to assist with emergency response, primarily due to work or education. Support Service members have no requirements for emergency response and provide invaluable support to the Department by assisting with fundraising, office and support work. Junior membership is available to youth ages 14-18 and follows EVFD guidelines and Child Labor Laws.

For more information regarding membership, contact the Department on any Wednesday evening (734-1823) or visit our website at WWW.edinborofire.org.

Beach Hours-2003

Pat Crawford Beach hours for this summer have been set. From May 26^th to June 1^st lifeguards will be on duty Saturday and Sunday from noon until 5:00 P.M. from June 2^nd through September 1^st lifeguards will be on duty everyday from noon until 5:00 P.M. (weather permitting).

Lakeside Garage Sales July 12, 2003 from 8:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M.

Fat-Free Sewers: How to Prevent Fats, Oils and Greases from Damaging
Your Home and the Environment

    Where does the grease come from?
    A byproduct of cooking, grease comes from meat fats, lard, oil, shortening, butter, margarine, food scraps, baking goods, sauces and dairy products. When washed down the sink, grease sticks to the insides of sewer pipes (both on your property and in the streets). Over time, it can build up and block the entire pipe.
    Caution: Home garbage disposals do not keep grease out of the plumbing system. Products, such as detergents, that claim to dissolve grease may pass it down the line and cause problems elsewhere.

The results can be:

raw sewage overflowing in your home or your neighbor's home;
an expensive and unpleasant cleanup that often must be paid for by you, the home or business owner;
raw sewage overflowing into parks, yards and streets;
potential contact with disease-causing organisms; and
an increase in operation and maintenance costs for local sewer departments, which causes higher sewer bills for customers.

What you can do to help.

never pouring grease down sink drains or into toilets;
scraping grease and food scraps into a can or the trash for disposal (or recycling where available);
putting baskets/strainers in sink drains to catch food scraps and other solids;
speaking with your friends and neighbors about how to keep grease out of sewers.

What restaurant and building owners need to know about grease traps or interceptors.
For a grease trap or interceptor to work correctly, it must be properly:
designed (sized and manufactured to handle the amount that is expected);
installed (level, vented, etc.); and
maintained (cleaned and serviced on a frequent basis).

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