Crawford Times

A Not so Happy New Year!

Be Prepared for What is Coming: Costs are going up!!

New regulations by the Federal EPA are going to cost all of us more money. Inflation has been bad enough, but the next couple regulations are going to cost each of us dearly.

The Borough has prided ourselves in keeping the cost of water, garbage and property taxes down. The last two years have resulted in an unbelievable number of new regulations, that will be enforced the next few years.

PFOS and PFAS

These are the chemicals you use every day. They are what makes non-stick pans non-stick, they make clothing waterproof, they are the product that makes your carpets and car seats spot resistant. They are also the product that prevents food wrappers (like at fast food restaurants) from leaking through (such as condiments or grease). Instead of regulating these products at the manufacturing end, EPA is adding excessive regulations after they get in drinking water. Shortly, new rules will take effect that set the limit for the amount in drinking water to no more than 14 parts per trillion. A trillion is 1,000,000,000,000. (a million, million!) That would amount to One Drop of water in about 20 Olympic size swimming pools! Testing and treatment will cost the Borough MILLIONS of dollars. We are working closely with DEP on this problem, and they have been very helpful, however they are regulated by the out-of-control Federal EPA. The Borough is hoping grants will offset the costs to us, and we are actively pursuing that funding source.

                What can you do?

The Borough has removed the contaminated wells from service. There is no health problem to you at this time. If you are concerned you can install an activated carbon water filter in your residence. These systems can remove any PFOS and most other contaminants that may end up in our water system. It will also remove the chlorine we are required to put in the system to eliminate bacteria and coliform.

Lead & Copper

In the next two (2) years, the Borough is required to inventory ALL water service lines in the Borough. We need to document the water line material from the main to the curb box (Borough’s responsibility) and the material from the curb box to the meter in your house (customer responsibility). After completion of the inventory, both the Borough and the customer will probably be required to replace the lead or galvanized service lines with approved materials (like plastic or copper). You will receive a questionnaire in 2023 to help us with this inventory.

Be prepared to see mandatory replacement of many of these old water lines, after 2024. (At your expense)

Things that are Hard to Understand!!!

                ●The Federal Government is promoting the use of electric cars and at the same time, warning of brown outs in the power grid?? They want us to use more electricity but they can’t produce it?

                ●How is it better for the environment to buy oil from Iran, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia, than to produce it here in the United States?

                ●The Sierra Club estimates that Wind turbines kill more than a million birds every year. Why no outrage about that? Those big, slow looking blades are actually rotating between 180-200 miles per hour!

                ●What will we do with all the 400-pound batteries that power electric cars, when they wear out?

                ●Until Russia, India and China take pollution seriously, we can not make a dent in global warming.

What will this Cost You?

                ●We have already seen what overregulation can do with the price of garbage collection. This will cost every customer $270 more per year!

                ●The new PFOS testing regulations by DEP will increase the water testing costs to the Borough by at least $7,200 per year. By 2024 this will need to be offset by water rate increases.

                ●The new lead testing requirements will be very labor intensive for the Borough, and will be funded by property tax or water rate increases. In the next few years, most customers will be required to replace old service

lines at their expense. This will make no difference in your drinking water; it is just a “feel good” approach.

●The next couple years will be very trying! And it will cost you money. The Borough will do our best to hold these costs down. The only hope we have is to VOTE to stop this madness!

Garbage Service:

The Borough recently placed the garbage service for the Borough out for bids. Customers are NOT permitted to opt out of this service. The price received was based on the specific number of units. Monthly price will be $36.00 per unit for the next (3) years.

Snow Parking:

Snow parking regulations start on November 1st, and continue until April 1st.

                -NO Parking on ANY street on Saeger-Heights

                -NO Parking from Midnight to 7 am on the following streets:

                                -Erie Street          -Main Street

                -NO Parking on the West and North side of all other streets on Even days of the week (9 am to 4 pm)

                -NO Parking one the East and South side of all other streets on Odd days of the week (9 am to 4 pm)

                -NO Parking along all Alleys, or must be at least 10 feet from the center of the alley.

Sidewalks on Main Street: Clarification

The Borough will be blowing snow off the Main Street sidewalks this year, once a day as needed. Property owners are required to clean-up any excess and keep ice off them. The Borough will NOT blow snow until we have checked all the wells and are through snow plowing or salting. This meets the requirements under the ordinance. If businesses want or need the walks cleared of snow earlier that is up to them, and they should make arrangements to have it done.

News from your Saegertown Area Library

What was it like to grow up in Saegertown in the 60’s? Find out at the library on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 1:00 PM. Linda Fink, of the Saegertown Heritage Museum, will discuss this topic at the library’s first 2023 “Hot Chocolate & History” session. No pre-registration needed. As always, thank you for supporting your hometown library! 

Safety Tip: Carbon Monoxide – Get a Detector

More than 150 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, poisonous gas.

                -Have your gas or oil heating furnace and hot water system serviced each year.

                -Install a CO detector in your home and test it regularly.

                -Do NOT use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or unvented propane heater in your home or garage.

-Do NOT run a car or other vehicle in a garage that is attached to your house.

-Do NOT burn anything in a stove or fireplace that is not properly vented.

-Do NOT heat your house with a gas oven.

-Seek prompt medical attention if you suspect Co poisoning. 

Dizzy, light-headed and nausea are symptoms.

Tax Collector Information:

Amanda Burlingame is the Tax Collector for Saegertown Borough.

Her phone number: 814-398-3988

Her e-mail address is: saegertownboroughtax@hotmail.com

◊Payments can be made by mail to: Saegertown Tax Collector, PO Box 348, Saegertown, Pa. 16433

◊Tax Office hours will be at the Borough Building on the following dates and times:

            These will be published when they are available

◊ Remember the Borough Secretary cannot accept tax payments.                         

Regular Community Meetings:

Borough Council: meetings second Mon. of month, 6:00 pm at Saegertown Borough Building on Erie St.Sewer Authority: meetings second Wed. of month, 6:00 pm at Saegertown Borough Building on Erie St.

Original source can be found here.