Sep 5, 2017 3 min read

The fate of a yellow brick road in East Washington was uncertain after a group of residents decried plans to have it covered.

Former East Washington Mayor Mark Pacilla spoke on behalf of about 20 residents Tuesday, asking council to reconsider a decision to allow Pennsylvania American Water to pave over LeMoyne Avenue after completion of a water line replacement project.

“Why are you giving them such a gift at the expense of our taxpayers?” Pacilla asked.

Council agreed Aug. 21 to allow the utility company to pave over LeMoyne, from Lockhart north to a section that is already paved, following the replacement of an eight-inch pipe.

Residents opposed to the agreement said covering the historic brick would devalue their homes. They argued covering the brick would result in pavement failures, and the utility company should have to restore the road to the borough’s specifications.

“The paved-down brick is going to come up,” Pacilla said. “You’re doing it to help the water company.”

Council President Jerad Cypher said the cost to replace the bricks would be astronomical. Pacilla argued the financial burden falls on the utility company, not the borough.

“It’s not our responsibility. It’s theirs,” Pacilla said.

Pennsylvania American Water representative Joe Bochna said putting the bricks back would cost about $350,000.

“If we don’t replace the lines, we still have to fix them,” said Bochna, adding the cost would affect water charges.

“There’s only so much we have budgeted. This would push that over budget.”

Cypher said the utility company warned the entire project – encompassing Bakewell Alley, East Wheeling and Lockhart streets and LeMoyne and Moffat avenues – could be cancelled if the borough didn’t agree to the paving.

Bochna agreed cancelling the project was a possibility.

“If we have to cancel the project because of ten houses on LeMoyne … it’s not for the greater good,” Cypher said.

During a conversation that picked up hours after residents left the meeting, council discussed directing the water company to proceed with the project, but to delay commencing work on LeMoyne.

Several members felt the utility company would complete the entire project even if they were directed to put the brick back. They also discussed the possibility of Pennsylvania American Water skipping LeMoyne and proceeding with the rest of the project.

Council directed Pacilla to survey LeMoyne residents to see if they want the road paved or relaid with brick, considering their water line may not be replaced.

“I think we need every person on LeMoyne to sign off,” council member Mary Taufer said.