web1_rr_lou1_faa.jpg

RailRiders Sunday Feature: Dustin Fowler streaking at the plate

web1_PGC-LOGO.jpg

PGC officer’s name added to national memorial

We hope Exeter Borough Mayor Herman Castellani can hold true to his word about an upcoming project on Bennett and Jesse streets in the borough.Castellani met with residents of those streets last week to explain the project, which, according to those who live in that area, has been a long time coming.The project will consist of the placement of new sewer laterals and new curbs and a repaving of the two streets.According to a story written by Geri Gibbons and appearing in yesterday&#8217;s Sunday Dispatch, Castellani said the project will be completed at no cost to taxpayers and will be done with no interruption of traffic flow on the street.He said other utility companies will be contacted so all work to be done under the street&#8217;s surface will be completed at once, making it unnecessary to &#8220;have to tear up the street again,&#8221; and the contractor will be mindful of not inconveniencing street residents.Residents with driveways are encouraged to park in them for the duration of the project as Castellani said those driveways are not anticipated to be impeded in any way during the project.According to Gibbons&#8217; story, Exeter Borough Secretary Debra Serbin said funding for the project came from the operation and maintenance portion of residents&#8217; sewer fees.Serbin credited both Castellani and the borough council with making the project a reality, explaining it took months and months to develop the plans.We applaud Castellani and members of the borough council, as well, for the time and effort they put into this project. Any improvements that can be done without taxpayer money is a win in our book.When meeting with residents, Castellani went one step further and explained the borough may receive additional funding if oil found in Hicks Creek is proven to be coming from Bridon American, a factory located near the area.Because the borough cannot legally take samples from the creek, Castellani met with federal officials and representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection tested the oil. Should the factory be found liable, according to Castellani, it will be fined $3,000 a day, saying those fines would provide money to re-pave Stevens Lane.We tip our hat to Castellani on this issue, as well. He didn&#8217;t look away when learning he and his fellow borough officials could not sample the creek water. He forged ahead and found a way; he made an effort to get the feds involved and did things legally.Back to the current project of new sewers, curbs and repaving of Bennett and Jesse streets, Castellani anticipates it will be seamless and without any unnecessary inconvenience to residents, down to the last detail.He has even requested the contractor change the daily construction start time from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., allowing residents to sleep a little later.No tax money. No inconvenience to residents. No tearing up of streets a second time.That&#8217;s a fairly tall order, Mr. Mayor. We hope, for the sake of the residents of the affected area and all of Exeter Borough, you can stick to your word. We&#8217;ll be watching.&#8212; Times Leader

Our view: Exeter project sounds like a real winner