Warren Glose wants the Borough of Catasauqua to help him repair damage to his house that occurred when the neighboring attached home collapsed July 28. Glose came before the Catasauqua Borough Council to appeal the borough's assistance.

Glose and his wife, Elsie, own 320 Church St,, the other half of the twin home that survived the building collapse last week.

"We found temporary housing in Slatington," he said. "The insurance company is paying for that."

The Gloses do not want to stay there any longer than absolutely necessary, however.

"We are anxious to get back to the house and get it repaired," he said.

Glose clarified a point made in the initial media reports of the collapse.

"They said there were two families evacuated, but we were the only ones that had to move," he said. "The other family was at 407 Crane. It looked like the building was going to fall on their house, but the owners were out of town. One of their family members called them on the phone and let them know the building fell down."

Glose told the council his insurance company claims it is not responsible for damage to the common wall between the buildings. He asked the borough to provide repairs that would make the wall sound.

Solicitor Jeffrey Dimmich gave the borough's response to the request.

"That is not our responsibility," he said.

Dimmich explained when a building collapses, the borough has a responsibility to clear the area and make it safe for the residents, but not to make repairs for individual homeowners. He disputed the insurance company's claim they are not responsible for repairs to the common wall.

"There is sufficient case law that identifies the insurance company's responsibilities in these circumstances and I think you will be surprised at the insurance company requirements," he said.

Glose contended the borough knew about the dangerous condition of the building for more than two years and only recently issued a condemnation notice on it.

"I understand that you need to make the people in the area safe, but what about my safety?" Glose said. "No one seemed to worry about my family."

Dimmich suggested Glose retain an attorney, but Glose contended the cost for legal help would be prohibitive, as he is currently unemployed.

Dimmich said that he would be available to consult with Glose, but he has not read the terms of Glose's insurance policy and so he could not answer specific questions.

Council President Brian Bartholomew, who has been spearheading the borough's effort to clean up the site, reported the borough would remove all the debris, including debris in the basement.

"That would leave me with a hole that collects water," Glose said. "I don't think the basement wall is waterproof and it would flood the basement of my house," said Glose.

According to Glose, he cannot move back into the house until his insurance company is able to talk with the Borough Engineer Dennis Harman, who inspected the house.

Borough Manager Eugene Goldfeder assured Glose that Harman would be available when needed.

As of Monday, no one was in the home. The common wall was tarped and debris removed, but Crane Street was still blocked off as if more work is expected.