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Residents press Dunmore officials over drainage after utility paving; solicitor asks for ownership proof on alley work
Summary
Two residents raised separate property issues during public comment: a Center Street owner said recent utility paving redirected stormwater into his basement apartment, and another resident sought borough action on an alley that may or may not be borough-owned; the borough solicitor asked for documentary proof of ownership before action.
DUNMORE — During public comment at the Aug. 12 Dunmore Borough Council meeting, two residents urged the borough to address localized drainage and alley ownership problems stemming from recent utility work.
Peter Bonacuse, owner of 511–513 Center Street, told council that after replacement work by gas and water contractors the newly paved profile has directed runoff into his property. "I have a river coming down now over my yard and into the basement apartment at times depending on the rain," Bonacuse said, and showed photographs of the work that he said backfilled with modified material.
Council members and the borough manager acknowledged the complaint and asked Manager Greg Wolff to meet with utility representatives to review the pictures and the required roadway-restoration obligations. "They're required to restore the roadways," Councilman Hallinan said; Wolff said he had a meeting scheduled with utility representatives.
James Campbell raised a separate issue about an alley adjacent to his property and said he had retained counsel. Solicitor Matt Perry asked Campbell's attorney to provide documentation if the alley is claimed to be borough-owned before the borough takes action. "If your attorney does, in fact, have evidence by way of documentation that the Borough does, in fact, own the alley, there could be a conversation about what can be done," Perry said. He added that without such documentation the borough could not act.
DPW leadership said they would not perform corrective work until ownership is resolved. Council members said they would follow up and report at a subsequent meeting.
What happens next: Borough Manager Greg Wolff will meet with utility representatives to discuss restoration; residents and counsel were asked to provide ownership documentation so the borough solicitor can evaluate possible borough responsibility or remedies.
