SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The project to widen Route 61 in the borough might not happen until next year.
Borough Manager Scott Graver said during Wednesday's meeting of the borough council the project might not start until January.
Groundbreaking for the $11,660,854 project had been slated to begin in October.
"They (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation) said it may or may not (be delayed). Right now, they're having trouble securing all the easements. The design, the engineering is all done. All the studies have been done, so that isn't stopping or delaying it. But the easements could possibly delay (it)," he said.
The project involves adding two additional lanes through the borough and the relocating of electric, water and sewer utilities. In all, about 1.28 miles of road will be affected.
The project is meant to ease congestion in the area.
The discussion about the Route 61 project lasted about 5 minutes.
After the meeting, Graver said he received an email about two weeks ago from a PennDOT official that said the project might be delayed.
He said he received a schedule with a January start date on it; however, Graver said he has received numerous schedules and the most recent one does not mean the date will not change in the future.
"I have no problem. No issue with that," he said of the later date.
That is because he wants everything done correctly so the project will run OK.
"I believe in order to have a successful project you need to have everything done as well as can be done," he said.
When the project does get under way, it will last about two years.
In other news, Joseph Rosselli, the new part-time recreation director, said he was glad to be working for the borough and would do his best. His first day on the job was last Wednesday. He met the staff and visited playgrounds in the borough.
The council voted that wine-tasting could be held at The Island Festival Aug. 24.
Christine Hess, a representative of the Island Park Fundraising Committee, said the festival is scheduled from 1 to 10 p.m. at The Island. There will be security at the event, she said, adding that wine-tasting will be held in a different area of the Island in the afternoon. Hess said one wine vendor has committed so far. Details about how much alcohol can be consumed at the wine-tasting has not been decided, she said.
Council gave the OK for the wine-tasting to occur between 3 and 7 p.m. Identification will be required to enter the area where the tasting will take place.
Those who buy alcohol will be given it when they are ready to leave so they will not drink the bottle at the site.
The addition of the wine-tasting is an attempt to expand what the festival has to offer people, Hess said.
The free fireworks display is scheduled for July 13 at The Island, starting at about 9:30 p.m. The cost to go on the rides at the fireworks event has gone up to $5 per person or $20 per family of five.
Organizers said in previous years some people were taking advantage of the low cost of $5 per family and bringing lots of people with them.
Rosselli said the increase is also to recoup the cost to provide the rides.