Residents raise alley damage and request to acquire paper road at White Oak council meeting

During the public comment period, two White Oak residents described property and right-of-way concerns and asked the borough to investigate.

Barbara Harvey, who gave her address as 14 Monongahela Boulevard, said an alley behind her garage that had been patched previously is now broken: "Right in front of my garage, it's all ripped up. I'm dragging the stuff in the garage into the house," she said. The council asked to see a photo, and a borough staff member said an engineer would be sent to inspect the alley.

Dan Weisney, of 1203 Clark Street, asked the borough to pursue a process to acquire a nearby paper road he said he has maintained for about 18 years and would like to formally take over. Weisney told council the strip is partially washed out and described historical dumping in the area; he said he had previously sent a letter to the borough requesting acquisition. A presenter said council discussed the request at a workshop and would investigate whether the borough ever accepted the paper alley when the land-development plan was recorded and whether the borough needs to be involved in the acquisition process.

Council told both residents that staff would investigate: an engineer would inspect Harvey's alley and staff would pull historic plans and property records to determine whether the borough accepted the paper alley and what formal steps are required for a property owner to acquire it. The council did not commit to a timeline or to paying for repairs; members said they would be "in touch" with the residents after the investigation.

Both matters were handled during public comment; neither prompted a formal motion or council action at that meeting.