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Residents press Red Lion council on stormwater flooding, overgrown railroad strip and potholes
Summary
At the July 14 council meeting, neighbors reported basement flooding, stormwater running into roadways, an overgrown former-railroad strip attracting rodents and recurring potholes; borough staff said repairs are planned and the solicitor outlined limited enforcement options for unowned property.
At the July 14, 2025 Red Lion Borough Council meeting, several residents told council members that stormwater and neglected parcels are harming homes and public walkways.
Phil Krecker presented photos and video showing water entering his basement and running between properties, which he said has damaged the front of his home and sidewalk. Engineer Jeff Shue and Public Works staff said gutters in the area drain to the road rather than storm inlets and that the borough previously attempted a rolled curb to limit flow; council agreed to inspect the site and “brainstorm what can be done,” according to council discussion.
Sheryl Kopp described an overgrown strip of land she called “no man’s land” adjacent to her property that had become a habitat for rodents, snakes and mosquitoes. Solicitor Mike Craley told the council there is no current owner to enforce maintenance on that parcel and suggested neighbors could pursue possession to maintain it; Kopp said she would not accept possession because she did not want added tax liability.
Sue Smith asked the borough to repair recurring potholes in the alley behind her home (Weaver Lane, Franklin to Western). Public Works representative Brett Patterson confirmed that location is on the repair list. Megan Wildes supported Kopp’s complaint and said residents have found drug paraphernalia in nearby runoff and creek; no immediate remediation plan for that contamination was recorded in the minutes.
Borough staff and council recorded next steps in response to the comments: Public Works will evaluate the pothole and receptacle issues, the council will conduct on-site review of stormwater complaints, and the solicitor outlined legal options for parcels with unclear ownership. The administration committee will consider a separate request about tax-collector compensation and report back at a future meeting.
The meeting record does not list deadlines for the follow-up inspections or remediation, and it does not record any formal enforcement action taken during the session.
