Council directs 30-day enforcement letter for sinkhole at McIntosh Crossings detention basin; pump failures slow sewer service

The Palmyra Borough Council voted to send a 30-day enforcement notice to the responsible party for a sinkhole at the McIntosh Crossings detention basin after council members and staff reported the hole is expanding and encroaching on a nearby house.

Council members discussed prior plan notes that make homeowners associations responsible for maintenance of the detention basin and cited plan requirements that a geophysical or geological engineer inspect sinkholes in detention basins. The borough solicitor recommended a 30-day enforcement notice. Council then voted to send the notice; the vote passed with one abstention.

Public works staff also told the council that Pump Station 3 remains in design and is awaiting Department of Environmental Protection review comments. At Pump Station 2, both grinder pumps in the pit are not operating; staff have been using a sewer vacuum truck weekly to remove material until replacement pumps can be sourced. Acting public works superintendent Elijah reported that the pumps were expected to last seven to ten years and that the current pumps are about 15 years old.

Council members discussed options including finding a local pump rebuilder or sourcing replacement pumps and said they would meet with vendors once available. The council asked staff to send the enforcement letter and to continue coordinating with engineering and PennDOT where applicable for other stormwater and culvert issues.

The motion to send a 30-day enforcement letter specified the borough could use the stormwater management ordinance or the property maintenance ordinance for enforcement; staff noted the challenge that the homeowners association address on file may be out-of-date and that courts may ultimately resolve ownership or enforcement questions.