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Borough crews, neighboring municipalities respond to hydraulic fluid spill; Canal Street closure and Canal Park cleanup discussed
Summary
Councilors reported a hydraulic-fluid spill from a truck that required extended cleanup, noted ongoing Canal Street closure affecting upcoming events, and thanked neighboring municipalities and Public Works for cleanup and support.
Councilors on Oct. 15 described an on-street hydraulic-fluid spill that required an extended response by borough crews and assistance from neighboring municipalities and contractors, and discussed ongoing infrastructure impacts from Canal Street construction.
A council report said a hydraulic line on a truck ruptured, spilling hydraulic fluid; the company involved visited borough offices the next day to update officials and provide contact information for reimbursement. The borough indicated the company will be asked to reimburse filing fees and cleanup costs if a cost-of-care petition is filed in the animal-seizure matter mentioned separately by the solicitor.
Councilors thanked public-works staff and mutual-aid partners for long cleanup shifts; one speaker noted borough crews worked additional hours into the evening to address the spill and related road conditions. North Catasauqua and Copley (neighboring jurisdictions) were singled out for help with street sweeping after the Jack Frost Parade.
Council members also discussed the Canal Street bridge construction. The parade organizer updated the route because Canal Street is still closed; councilors said they had not received a formal update about re-opening but understood work could extend and that vendors and event organizers were preparing alternate routes.
Separately, a councilor asked Norfolk Southern to add enhanced safety measures at the Tenth Street rail crossing after observing limited visibility and a lack of flares or temporary warning measures. The borough manager said he would reach out to the railroad to request improved protections.
Council members asked that the borough confirm with the contractor whether Fourth Ward refuse pickups will be one or two days under the new refuse contract; that discussion will take place during a sit-down meeting with Republic Services.
The council did not take formal new policy action on these infrastructure items at the Oct. 15 meeting but directed staff to follow up with contractors, the railroad and the refuse vendor.
