News

July 17, 2009

Cameras catching dumpers in Laurel Run

IAN CAMPBELL Times Leader Correspondent

LAUREL RUN – Security cameras are now playing a part in policing against illegal dumping, council was told Thursday.

The cameras have been installed at various spots along the road up the Giants Despair and have already recorded a number of vehicles involved in illegal waste disposal, Mayor Daniel Gildea said.

The equipment was funded by a grant and should help cut down the numbers of illegal dumping offenses taking place on borough property and within the boundaries of the park, council noted.

The images recorded by the cameras are sufficient for prosecution, the mayor said.

In other matters related to the park and the hill climb event, Gildea noted that he hoped to arrange a meeting between council and former hill climb record holder and racing authority Oscar Kovaleski to discuss ideas for the future of the event.

Kovaleski had put some ideas forward to the Sports Car Club of America, which sanctions the event, and the mayor felt the discussion with the council would also be worthwhile.

This year’s hill climb again was a successful fundraiser for the Laurel Run Volunteer Fire Department, although some noted the economy had resulted in fewer competitors in some of the historic classes.

Councilman Chris Scavone, also the borough fire chief, thanked everyone who had participated in organizing and operating the event.

Scavone also suggested the borough take the money that had been used to pay off a fire truck and dedicate it to the repair and rebuilding of Mountain Oaks Drive, which he said was becoming impossible to patch or to plow adequately in the winter.

The borough had received an assessment of the condition of all the borough routes a couple of years ago from Pasonick Engineering, and that would allow the municipality to get some informal estimates on what the work required would likely cost, but full engineering specifications would need to be developed and the project properly bid out, Solicitor Stephen Menn said.

The borough might also look into whether a road easement into the Mountain Oaks area exists in order to possibly open up an alternative exit route for homeowners in that part of the borough.

During the May fire, access out was a concern, council noted.

Forestry representatives are expected at the August meeting to discuss wildfire preparedness issues, the mayor said.

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