Octorara Regional Planning Commission Notes

Parkesburg Borough Council President Mel Keen updates members of the the Octorara Regional Planning Commission on the Borough's West Bridge Street and train station projects.

Notes from last night’s Octorara Regional Planning Commission:

Parkesburg Borough Council President Mel Keen spoke about PennDot’s plan to upgrade the train station including the following points:

• The advantages of placing the station east of Culvert Street between Culvert and Route 10.  The advantages of the new location are 1) the availability of open space on both sides of the track for future parking lots 2) the possibility of building a pedestrian path over/under the tracks linking the town’s two business districts. 
• There are no road blocks standing in the way of this getting done.
• The tracks and signaling have all been upgraded. 
• A fence preventing pedestrians from walking across the tracks will run from one end of the borough to the other is planned. 
• The project is being funding by the stimulus money turned down by Florida. 
• PennDOT and Amtrak are developing designs and will come back to the borough with their ideas toward the end of the year.  Three different location scenarios are being considered.  They’re taking all the information of the three scenarios doing engineering and coming up with renderings for all three options.

West Bridge Street – Moving forward slowly.  We’ve done everything we need to do.  PennDOT is working to get the last part of their part of the program done.

Coatesville and Downingtown train stations will be upgraded as well.

The velodrome in Coatesville is expected to have a big impact on local businesses.  The Chester County Economic Development Council offered to do a presentation of the expected impact for Parkesburg Borough Council.

The idea of a Parkesburg Bypass from Route 10 to the industrial park west of Parkesburg similar to the one built around Strasburg several years ago was discussed.  The idea isn’t realistic because the road would require a bridge over the train tracks.

Representative John Lawrence spoke about Tastykake being bought out by a company in Georgia.  Company will keep the plant in Oxford open.  Dansko is expanding.  Nottingham Inn property bought by Herr’s, who is doing a 100% refurbishing of the building.

As we’re trying to draw businesses to our neck of the words the two areas we want to focus on are 372 and Route 1.  The train station and the 30 bypass together with the 372 industrial park make this area attractive.

Larry Lavenberg, Vice President of Atglen Borough Council, spoke about Atglen’s efforts to upgrade their water plant and the planned SEPTA feasibility Study.

Council President's Weekly Message

By Council President Mel Keen

As I planned this newsletter with a message about Irene, Tropical Storm Lee let loose with 5"+ of rain yesterday afternoon.  As of 11:30pm Wednesday, power had been restored and all streets were passable, watch out for debris.  The streets crew will be cleaning all storm water inlets and trouble spots today.   

MORE RAIN IS EXPECTED. Watch for flooding, loose stone, sticks and other "junk" on the roads.

Please do your part by removing any trash, sticks and other items that has washed up to your property.  We need to keep items from being swept into the storm inlets.  Thanks.

Please direct additional concerns to Borough Hall between 8-4pm on week-days, 610-857-2616.

Emergencies are handled by 911.

I want to thank EVERYONE involved with storm readiness, the morning after Irene and now the clean up  for both storms.  Our emergency personal, streets department and police made the storms tolerable. After Irene coffee and breakfast was made on gas ranges or generators for neighbors, basements were pumped, hot water heaters were re-lit and trees and branches cleaned up.  Once again thanks to everyone!

As order is restored again, it has come to my attention basements are not dry.  Mold mitigation is now a concern. Please make every effort to open doors and windows and place fans on dry steps to get basements dry as soon as possible. Using bleach or other mold inhibitors now will protect your property.

Mosquitoes love warm moist conditions.  They need standing water to breed.  PLEASE empty all buckets, pet bowls and anything that can hold water.  Prevention is the best way to avoid exploding populations.

Before, During and After Irene

I'm about as far away from Parkesburg as you can get and still be on the east coast.

Enjoying a week with extended family on the beaches of North Caroline's outer banks, we totally escaped this week's earthquake, whose epicenter was 4 hours to the north of us.

We're not so lucky when it comes to the wonderful, woolly hurricane Irene.  She's due to barrel up the coast in the next 48 to 72 hours, raising in intensity as she chugs northward.

This morning Parkesburg's Fire Marshall Ray Stackhouse and Borough Council President Mel Keen put out the following guidelines we all should keep in mind to stay safe before, during and after Irene's wreaks her havoc.

BEFORE the storm:

• MONITOR STREAM AND URBAN STREET FLOODING – For those living in areas that are prone to localized flooding, closely watch small streams and low-lying areas for early flooding. Make sure street storm drains are cleared.

• Secure outside objects.  Hurricane force winds can make outdoor furniture into missiles.

• Make sure you have plenty of fuel and water. 

• IF YOU EXPERIENCE A POWER OUTAGE be prepared with flashlights/ extra batteries/ lanterns, do not use candles

• Have several days supply of food, water and prescription medication for each family member.

• Register yourself or loved ones with the Special Needs Registry at www.specialneedspa.org if you or they have difficulty receiving or acting upon emergency instructions.

• Have an emergency kit for you and your pet in case you need to evacuate. 

• Sign up to receive free emergency alert information at www.readynotifypa.org or texting CHESCO to 411911.

DURING AND AFTER the storm:

• DO NOT WALK THROUGH FLOWING WATER – Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths.  Most of these drownings occur during flash floods.  Flash flood waters move at very fast speeds and can roll boulders, sweep away cars, tear out trees, destroy buildings, and obliterate bridges.  Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off of your feet.  If you MUST walk through a flooded area, use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is still there and solid, even where the water is not flowing.

• DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH A FLOODED AREA – More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.  Cars can be swept away in just 2 feet of moving water.  Do not drive around road barriers.  They are there for a reason.  The road or bridge may be washed out or structurally unsound.  If your car becomes trapped in floodwaters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.  Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.  TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN

• AVOID POWER LINES AND ELECTRICAL WIRES – Electrocution is also a major killer in floods.  Electrical current can travel through water.  Report downed power lines to your utility company or local emergency manager. Always assume a downed wire is a live wire.  The number to PECO is 1-800-841-4141; the number to PPL is 1-800-342-5775.

• LOOK BEFORE YOU STEP – After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris, including broken bottles and nails.  Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.

• BE ALERT FOR GAS LEAKS – Do not turn on electric lights, but use a flashlight to inspect for damage. A spark from the light switch could cause an explosion or fire.   Do not smoke or use candles, lanterns or open flames unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area has been aired out. 

• CARBON MONOXIDE EXHAUST KILLS – Only use camping stoves, generators or other gasoline-powered machines outdoors.  Fumes from charcoal are especially deadly, so never use indoors.

• CLEAN EVERYTHING THAT GETS WET – Floodwaters have probably picked up sewage and chemicals from roads, farms and factories.  Spoiled food and flooded medicines and cosmetics are health hazards.  When in doubt, throw them away.

• Do NOT call 9-1-1 to report a power outage.  You should call your electric service provider.  The number to PECO is 1-800-841-4141; the number to PPL is 1-800-342-5775.

• Monitor local weather reports on radio, television and the internet. 
•  
• Check on elderly neighbors and others that experience difficulty in caring for themselves or receiving or acting upon emergency instructions.

•   Follow the Chester County Department of Emergency Services on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccdes and Twitter at www.twitter.com/ccdes

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WARNINGS DEFINITIONS:

Hurricane Watch

A hurricane watch (HWA) is issued for a specified area for which a hurricane or a hurricane-related hazard is a possible threat within 48 hours.

Hurricane Warning

A hurricane warning (HUW) is issued when a hurricane with sustained winds of 74 mph (65 knots, 118 km/h) or higher is expected in a specified coastal area in 36 hours^[1] or less

Extreme Wind Warning

Extreme wind warnings are issued for land areas that are in the path of a landfalling category 3 or higher (major) hurricane that are expected to see 115 mph or greater winds, usually associated with the eyewall. (This warning type was created after Hurricane Katrina when several tornado warnings were issued due to the extreme winds, but no actual tornadoes occurred or were forecast to occur)

Flash flood watch means a flash flood is possible in the area, because conditions are more favorable than usual for its occurrence. A watch is a recommendation for planning, preparation, and increased awareness (be alert for changing weather, listen for further information, and think about what to do if the danger materializes.)

Flash flood warning means a flash flood is imminent or occurring; take immediate action to protect life and property.

Urban and small stream advisory means to be alert regarding potential flooding of small streams, streets, urban storm drains, underpasses, and low lying areas.