Shen. Council provides update on Coal and Walnut closure

By Kaylee Lindenmuth

SHENANDOAH – According to Shenandoah Borough Council, a hole which has had portions West Coal Street and Walnut Streets in the borough was caused by a drainage culvert, not a mine subsidence.

Council provided an update on the situation at their regular meeting Monday evening.

“We have had an engineer down there. It is not a mine subsidence, it is an old drainage culvert tied into our combined system,” said Council President Leo Pietkiewicz. “We will be addressing that as weather permits.” 

Pietkiewicz noted that a catch basin and piping would likely be installed, and the culvert would be backfilled.

The intersection has been closed to traffic since February 4, when the hole opened, as a precaution.

In other business, Pietkiewicz added that, as weather permits, the borough will work to repair streets in the borough.

“As soon as the weather breaks, we will be aggressively looking to cold patch the major streets, because they are in dire need right now,” said Pietkiewicz, adding that the repairs will be readdressed later in the year.

Also on the subject of streets, Pietkiewicz, who was named chairman of the Municipal Authority of the Borough of Shenandoah earlier this year, told council the authority will begin handling street repairs differently from now on.

“I have directed the water authority to compile a list of openings in the streets and the water authority will go back and properly, professionally patch those,” said Pietkiewicz. “That’s a new practice that’s going to be going on with the water authority.”

In other business, borough council:

• Approved the repository sale of 122 N. Jardin Street for $1,500.
• Approved a handicap parking application for 213 S. West Street.
• Approved a Request for Bids for security upgrades to borough hall.
• Approved the hiring of an AARP-funded part-time employee.
• Approved the use of borough hall for the Shenandoah Youth Soccer Association’s signups.
• Approved the use of borough hall for the Shenandoah Borough Recreation Committee.
• Tabled a request from Iglesia Pentacostal Church for preaching around the borough on Tuesday and Saturday evenings beginning in March pending advice from the borough’s solicitor.

Sherry Streeter contributed to this report

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home.

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