The Case Of The Curious Sinkhole

Newtown is urging PECO to take responsibility for a sinkhole that the Borough’s engineer says is a result of one of the utility’s electrical trenches.

The sinkhole was discovered a week and a half ago on Penn Street close to State Street, explained Borough Engineer Maryellen Saylor. She said the sinkhole, which is about three feet deep and two and a half feet long, could become a threat to public safety if not dealt with. “Sinkholes never get better,” she said.

The hole has been temporarily patched with stone but the borough is seeking a permanent fix. And they say PECO is responsible.

Saylor said a week and a half ago, the sewer authority was flushing the lines when they noticed a hole in the road that seemed hollow.  They summoned the engineer to the scene. When the hole was further opened, there was a large space, and “a lot of loose material," Saylor said.

Saylor said they believed it was a void in the electrical trench. PECO sent a consultant out to observe the site. That consultant initially said the borough was correct and that it looked like a problem with the electrical trench, Saylor explained.

However, upon hearing that news, PECO representatives said they would send out another professional.  By the time the second PECO engineer came to the scene a week later, the hole was temporarily patched. Saylor said she showed them photos of the sinkhole.  PECO later said it “wasn’t their problem,” Saylor explained.

Both the local sewer and water utilities have checked their lines and they are in tact, Saylor said.

Council member Mike Sellers said he wants to hold PECO responsible if in fact the sinkhole is resulting from the electrical trench.  “If it’s PECO’s problem, they should pay to fix it," Sellers said.

As it stands, the patched sinkhole has already been re-topped with stone.  Borough officials said they will continue to pursue the issue with PECO.