Jim Thorpe water plant repairs to cost $50K

Two critical repairs at Jim Thorpe Borough’s water treatment plant will cost the municipality just shy of $50,000, borough officials said.

Borough Council approved the repairs last week.

A filter media was replaced for $19,250, according to Councilman Jay Miller, after a hole developed in a gasket.

The media had not been replaced in the 20-plus year history of the plant, said Public Works Supervisor Vince Yaich.

“It had to be done,” Miller said of the repair. “I’ve said it before, when anything goes wrong in the water department, it’s never just a $10 fix. These are specialized companies that have to come in for the repairs. You can’t just get any contractor. They have to know what they’re doing.”

The other fix included the replacement of three electric valves.

Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said the valve replacement was estimated to cost between $25,000 and $30,000.

“They’re looking to do some electrical work there so this was a highly recommended repair,” Miller said.

Zoning permit fee waiver denied

Council turned down a request from Turn To Us, a local nonprofit, for the waiver of a $75 zoning permit fee to install a temporary fence at a Center Street property.

According to the request, Turn To Us planned to have a garden on the property, which is owned by Clyde Shoop.

Turn To Us advocates for individuals and their families who are experiencing the impact of both major and chronic illnesses.

Even with the denial of the waiver, Sterner said, the garden is an allowed use on the property if Turn To Us pays the permit fee.

“I don’t have a problem with the organization,” Miller said, “My issue is with granting items on private property. If Turn To Us owned it, I would consider it.”

Council President Greg Strubinger said he hoped someone else with an existing garden would step up to allow the organization to possibly form a cooperative.

“They’re a wonderful organization that does great things,” he added.

Legion fee waived for festival

For the second straight year, council voted to waive the $750 facility rental fee for the American Legion Post 304 in Jim Thorpe to use Memorial Park for its annual Stay At Home Festival.

“I’d like to see us continue supporting this event, which is good for the community and a lot of our residents do enjoy it,” Strubinger said.

According to organizers, the fireworks alone cost $10,000 with the entire festival, scheduled for July 7 this year, running around $18,000.

Jim Thorpe does not charge the legion for police services, which totaled $1,200 last year.

The borough also pays for electrical costs and typically donates $200 to the Penn Forest Township fire police for help with traffic control.

“It’s a nice celebration and it becomes more and more difficult each year for the legion to come up with the money to hold it,” Strubinger said. “We’ve been doing this as a community initiative and I think we should stick with that.”