Skye Neulight, community outreach specialist for the Philadelphia Water Department, spoke at the recent Lawncrest Community Association meeting.
Neulight discussed issues such as water main replacements to prevent emergency breaks; increased sewer capacity; Green City, Clean Waters, an initiative to reduce sewer overflows; the use of tree trenches for stormwater absorption; the Water Department’s offer of free rain barrels; the department’s grants to community groups to monitor infrastructure upkeep; and the availability of assistance for customers to pay bills or emergency plumbing costs.
Neulight said the Water Department has maintenance teams that check on the condition of infrastructure several times a year.
Members complained that people are parking next to Water Department bump-outs, adding that the No Parking signs are not deterring them. The bump-outs, they say, are filled with trash.
For more information, contact Neulight at 215-685-3374 or Skye.Neulight@phila.gov.
In other news from the July 16 meeting:
• The LCA heard from the owner of a house at 231 Levick St. The man hopes to convert the property into a duplex. The civic group voted against the plan, with three members in favor. A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for Sept. 16.
• Lt. Danielle Saxton, of the 2nd Police District, spoke about the July 12 shooting at the Hill Creek housing project. One male was killed and four people were wounded when the gunman fired into a crowd. No arrest has been made. The 2nd District now has a police car on site 24 hours a day.
• Among those at the meeting were Joe Delmar, representing state Rep. Anthony Bellmon; Jill Henon, who works for City Controller Christy Brady; and Lisa Borine, an aide to state Sen. Tina Tartaglione.
Henon said the controller’s office is auditing the way the city calculates property assessments.
Borine said Tartaglione will hold community picnics that will feature free refreshments, a DJ, backpack giveaways, raffles, games and face painting. The schedule is Thursday, July 30, Heitzman Recreation Center, 2136 Castor Ave.; Tuesday, Aug. 4, Margaret Tartaglione Park, 5773-5945 Frankford Ave. (Cheltenham Avenue entrance); and Thursday, Aug. 6, Norris Square Park, 2100 N. Howard St. Times are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 215-533-0440.
• Lawncrest Library, 6098 Rising Sun Ave., will distribute lunches for kids 18 and younger every weekday from 1-2 p.m. through Aug. 21.
• National Night Out for the 2nd and 7th police districts will take place in the Fox Chase Elementary School yard, 500 Rhawn St., on Aug. 4 from 6-8 p.m., with a bicycle ride at 5 p.m. All children participating in the bicycle ride will be entered in a drawing for a new bike. There will be a DJ, food, face painting and games. Timmy Kelly will sing God Bless America. For more information, call the office of state Rep. Sean Dougherty at 215-331-2600.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at St. William’s Monsignor James E. Mortimer Memorial Hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
