Charleroi makes new bid to cap gas well
The abandoned gas well at 922-924 Fallowfield Ave. may be finally capped.
Charleroi Council on Thursday authorized Mackin Engineering and MGR Consulting to prepare a grant application under the PA Orphan or Abandoned Well Plugging Program at a cost not to exceed $5,000.
The well was discovered about four years ago when the residence was being sold. The structure has since been torn down. Two years ago, the borough began the process of capping the abandoned well with a grant of $280,000. Work ceased on the project when the money ran out and funding was not approved last year.
Michael Korposh, president of MGR Consulting of Monessen, said because of the rollback in the oil and gas industry last year, the availability of grant money was affected. This year, with the ramp-up in the industry, Korposh said he is confident the borough will be granted approval to finish the project. He added the age of the well and its location in a residential area are two favorable points in securing the grant. Council President Paul Pivovarnik estimates the remaining costs to be about $135,000.
Council also is hoping to beautify the town with the nomination of an artist in residence, Casey Clark, owner of Off the Wall Arts. “She will help with the redesign of the sidewalk planters, murals and other beautification projects,” Pivovarnik said.
In other news, Councilman Frank Paterra is working to schedule a town hall meeting within the next few months to address drugs and other illegal activity.
“We need to work together. I want to have a meeting with the clergy, business owners, fire department, police department and EMS. We’ve had overdoses and other criminal activity in our community,” he said.
Paterra added the current K-9 will be retiring and another dog, a German shepherd, has been acquired and will be as asset to the police department.
Also, council approved the cooperation agreement with the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County for a grant in the amount of $191,000 for the Charleroi Interceptor Study and Design Project.
Council denied a request for a paid accessible parking spot application at 726 Lookout Ave. The borough code allows two accessible parking spots per block. There already are two accessible spots on that block. Pivovarnik said the borough actually allows one more space than the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Council did approve an accessible parking spot application for 918 Fallowfield Ave. It will be the second such spot in that block.
A public hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22, in Room 6 of Washington County Courthouse regarding the redevelopment of the Atlas site. Charleroi Area School District and council are asking residents to attend the hearing to show support for the project.