Allentown Borough Administrator Laurie A. Roth reported that the borough’s four water treatment plant buildings sustained flooding damages on Aug. 22 when a heavy rainfall inundated the area and caused rising waters in the Indian Run along the bank of the plant. This area has not flooded since the 1990s.
The treatment plant is on Breza Road.
Roth said the borough’s water plant operator, John Holden of H20 Services, discovered the flooding.
Roth and Borough Engineer Carmela Roberts of Roberts Engineering Group reached the location to provide support. She said Allentown’s water system was not compromised during the flooding. No boil water notices were issued as the borough switched to Aqua America’s water supply during the event and the resulting cleanup.
Roth thanked the members of the Hope Fire Company who arrived to pump out Building No. 1. The members of the fire company left one pump to keep Building No. 1 clear while the remaining flood waters receded back into Indian Run.
Public works employees responded to the site to assist with the cleanup. Roth said Allentown’s representatives will submit an insurance claim for damages.
On Sept. 25 runners, walkers and the community will come together for the second Historic Allentown 5K Race. The Board of Recreation Commissioners has been working for months to bring the event to the community, according to Borough Administrator Laurie A. Roth.
Each participant will register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Allentown/HistoricAllentown5K. Each live participant will receive a T-shirt as part of their registration fee. This will be a hybrid race – meaning participants can run virtually as well from the comfort of their own park or area, according to Roth.
Helen Varvi, the coordinator of the Millstone Township Alliance to Prevent Substance Abuse, has reported that during the first quarter of 2021 there were 51 drug overdoses in Monmouth County.
“That is 51 too many. They were family members and friends. We mourn and remember those we have lost in the fight against addiction, those who are still suffering, those in recovery and their loved ones.
“On Aug. 31, International Overdose Awareness Day was recognized as a time to reflect on the grief of those hurting from the loss of a loved one and hope in the knowledge that the tragedy of these deaths is preventable,” Varvi said in a press release.
The Millstone Township alliance, in partnership with the Prevention Coalition of Monmouth County, worked to create a visually impactful reminder of this tragic reality, according to Varvi.
In addition to a sign that was placed outside the municipal building on Stagecoach Road that explains the purpose of the display, township staff, alliance volunteers and members of the Millstone Township Fire Department worked to place 51 purple flags along the road – one for each life lost to overdose in Monmouth County.
Varvi said it is important to remember these tragedies were preventable and that raising awareness and providing education about the dangers of substance misuse – particularly opioid and prescription medication – is critical in helping to curb the crisis.
In addition to raising awareness, the Millstone alliance funds prevention education for youths and parents and provides information and referrals to individuals in need of those services. Reach out to [email protected] or call 732-446-4249, ext. 3106.