Stormwater projects will be a major issue in Clarion Borough in 2025, according to Projects Manager Todd Colosimo.
Stormwater projects are under the direction of the Clarion Borough Stormwater Authority (CBSA), which Clarion established in 2016.
The authority board consists of the five members, all of whom are borough taxpayers. The CBSA was created to manage, repair and improve the borough’s extensive system of stormwater infrastructure.
There is fee structure in place for impervious areas and are based on the square footage that is paved. That fee has not increased since it was started.
“It was supposed to go into effect in 2020, but when COVID hit it was delayed,” Clarion Borough Secretary and Chief Administration Officer Linda LaVan-Preston said. “With so many people at home, it wasn’t fair to start it at that time. It really went into effect in the fourth quarter of 2020.
“We collect the fee, but one large project will wipe the whole thing out. We have numerous projects in the borough that would cost $500,000 each.”
The authority has received a Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) loan that is guaranteed by the borough for the Grand Avenue storm-sewer replacement project.
“It is an old system, the inlets are bad and sinkholes have opened up,” Colosimo said. “There are four major sinkholes we thought were dangerous.
Technically, it is a simple project but it will require a lot of material. The old, rusted steel pipe will be replaced with plastic pipe. There will brand new inlets and headwalls.”
He said a trench drain project was undertaken at Fourth Avenue and Franklin Street, which was “kind of new for us,” he said. “The stormwater was sheeting across the road, and this will channel the flow. Eventually, we will get a bigger project going on Fourth Avenue. We will have a grant for that work.
“Just digging out an old inlet and installing a new one will cost $10,000 to $12,000. It is expensive, but it has to be done.”
