NOVEMBER 8-14, 2012 Your Local News
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Northampton Council thankful damage not worse from storm, Page 9
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The Home News homenewspa.com
Bath Boro Council Briefed on How Storm Emergency was Addressed
By BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Old-fashioned water pump along Main St. in Chapman Borough helped take care of some water needs during the hurricane power loss. Left over from the 1800’s, it is regularly maintained by the residents. – Home News photo
Chapman Residents Turn to Old Pump for Water During Storm
An 1800’s era water pump that sits atop a concrete slab along Main Street served as a water source for many Chapman Quarries residents this past week. For more than four days, from Monday night to Friday, they were without electrical power, all caused by the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy. So with no electricity, there’s no water either if relying on wells. The hand-cranked water pump along the 1400 block
of Main Street has water 60 ft. down. During the summer, residents pump the handle and withdraw water for their gardens. This time it was used to fill buckets so they could wash their hands or dishes or flush their toilets. Since it is regularly maintained, they hoped it would work during this emergency. It did. During emergencies such as last week’s hurricane, people have to improvise to survive. This is one way they did it, to make the going a little easier.
Moore Township Hires FT Officer By Alice Wanamaker The Home News
Moore Township Supervisors voted to approve the hiring of Jason Gianatiempo as a full time police officer for the township. Chief Gary West brought the request to the
Supervisors Monday night stating that hiring Gianatiempo would give 24/7 police coverage with two officers in the township. Gianatiempo has been employed as a part time officer in Continued on page 18
Borough Manager Tom Petrucci read a statement to Bath Borough Council and persons in the audience at Council’s meeting on Monday night what actions were taken before and after Hurricane Sandy came to this area and what effect the super storm had on everyone. Along with him were Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Saginario, Public Works crew leader Lou Nigrellli, and other borough personnel. On Friday, Oct. 26, storm basin inlets were checked
and leaves removed so water could flow inside. Saturday, Oct. 27 – Pipes were cleaned out at Keystone Park. Sunday, Oct. 28 – Saginario contacted the Bath ambulance corps, and George Wolf Elementary School was selected as a shelter. Monday, Oct. 29 – All facilities were checked; Fire Chief Ed Demchak reported that power lines were down at E. Main & Poplar Sts. The borough office lost power. Tuesday, Oct. 30 – Road crew inspected areas of the
borough and cleaned up all debris; facilities were intact. Greatest impact at this point was widespread power outage. Borough unable to update website, ceall phones not working. Petrucci contacted Met-Ed several times to check status of power restoration, with 1,200 residents affected. Saginario said he inspected the senior apartment buildings of John Daumer and Howard Jones Manor, and placed EMC phone number in their hallways. Borough opened shelter at Continued on page 8
Northampton Area School District Schedule Storm Make-up Days
By ALICE WANAMAKER The Home News
Northampton Area School District Superintendent Joseph Kovalchick earlier this week issued a statement to parents regarding instructional make-up days due to this past week’s inclement weather. The statement noted that the district will now be open for two days later this month that were previously scheduled as days off for students. In the statement Kovalchick noted that all district schools and offices will be open on Wednesday, November 21 and Monday, November 26 to make up for last weeks closings. November 21 was a scheduled in-service day for teachers and will be made up in June 2013. The revised schedule will require for three additional days to be made up at a later date. Kovalchick said in his statement that at this time, those days will not come over the winter
INDEX:
break (December 24-January 1.) In his statement, Kovalchick said that the district has not yet heard from The Governor’s Office or the PDE (PA Department of Education) as to whether or not the required
180 days of institutional education for public schools will be waived due to the storm. He said “The district believes it is imperative to provide our students with academic time Continued on page 2
HUGE TREE along Wood’s Edge Rd., Bath, was felled in a domino effect with other trees. – Home News photo Bath...............................8
Events ...........................2
Northampton.................9
Gab over the Fence..........3
Nazareth . ....................10
House Tour.....................4
Church.........................11
Carol Ritter....................5
Classifieds ........... 16 & 17
71st Year, Issue No. 45
USPS 248-700