PORT CARBON - Since the Flood of 2006, which damaged more than $500,000 in borough property, municipal officials have been trying to find ways and means to better control Mill Creek should its waters rise again.
On Tuesday at its July workshop, the council took a step toward that lofty goal and decided to apply for funding to develop the borough's first watershed protection and restoration plan.
The council decided to hire Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, to fill out an application for a state Growing Greener II grant which would give the borough more than $50,000 to develop such a plan.
"It's a fairly detailed application. It's due July 11. We think we can keep costs to somewhere around $1,000 to complete it," borough engineer James S. Tohill of Alfred Benesch & Co., Pottsville, said at the workshop.
With a motion by Councilman Ray Steranko, which was seconded by Councilman Andy Palokas, the decision was carried unanimously with votes from council President Harold "Bucky" Herndon and council members John Franko and Warren Thomas.
Council members Mike Quercia and A. Bernice Shirey were absent from the workshop.
Two weeks ago, borough officials discussed the grant with Ronald Yablonsky, the watershed coordinator at the state Department of Environmental Protection's Northeast Regional Office.
"Mr. Yablonsky indicated that the best approach for the borough, since we don't have a formal plan started, would be to develop a watershed plan," Tohill said.
The history of the state Growing Greener grant project can be found on its official website, www.pagrowinggreener.org.
"There is a 15 percent local match required for that grant, but all expenses related to this issue, which would be all of our meetings regarding the flooding, would be eligible toward that match. We'll have to tally up what that is," Tohill said.
Tohill said if Alfred Benesch & Co. embarked on the development of a watershed protection and restoration plan for the borough, it could cost between $50,000 and $100,000.
"I won't know exactly how much until we start crunching numbers," Tohill said.
The plan would help the borough identify causes of flooding in Mill Creek and suggestions for improving the flow of water through the borough, Tohill said.
In other matters, Tohill said by next week he should have a repair estimate for the crumbling section of stone wall bordering Mill Creek near the Port Carbon Post Office.
Arthur "Pat" Aungst Inc., Pine Grove, has expressed interest in the job, Tohill said.
"I talked to Andy Aungst from Arthur 'Pat' Aungst Inc. and asked him if he would be able to come over and give us an estimate on what it would take to repair the section of wall that collapsed. He said hopefully by next week's meeting that he'll have an estimate that we can discuss," Tohill said.
The council's next regular meeting is slated for 7 p.m. July 8.
The borough will hold its annual Independence Day fireworks celebration Friday night.
"We have 1,700 residents. I'd say we'll have about 6,000 or 7,000 people in town that night," Herndon said.
The council advised visitors to use caution, drive safely and observe stop signs and all traffic advisories related to the detour put in place around the state's construction zone at the Pottsville Street Bridge.
"And we're going to have police coverage as we do every year," Palokas said.