John O'Boyle, of 5315 Colony Drive, addressed the East Allen Township Board of Supervisors at its meeting April 23.

In his request, O'Boyle explained that when water repairs were made, the roadway in front of his house was properly resurfaced. According to O'Boyle, the water leak caused two sinkholes on his property that he had to fill. O'Boyle estimated his repair cost at $8,500 and asked the township to pay a portion of the expense.

O'Boyle's property is across from Bicentennial Park West and water cascades down the entrance to the park. According to the homeowner, a catch basin is still needed to control water flow.

"The end of my driveway is shot and still needs repair," he said in his presentation.

A curb section is noticeably lower. Although no additional pipe breaks occurred, O'Boyle experienced two breaks, the latest Dec. 21. The Bethlehem Water Authority has not returned to make the repairs, he said.

Township Manager Deborah Seiple will discuss the matter with the water authority and see what can be done.

"I have dealt with them before on similar situations," Seiple said.

Related to this incident, Solicitor Joseph Piperato is reviewing the agreement signed by Bethlehem Water Authority and East Allen Township when the township turned its water system over to the authority.

In O'Boyle's case, the existing agreement indicates that public roads are to be returned in a serviceable condition similar to what existed before the repairs were made. The finished repair in front of O'Boyle's home does not meet reasonable standards.

Piperato said there is some question on how damage to private property is handled. The sinkholes O'Boyle alluded to were on his property, not in the public domain. Piperato did not negotiate the original agreement but will review the agreement with his counterpart at Bethlehem Water Authority.

Another provision of the agreement pointed out by Piperato requires scrutiny. The original agreement calls for all property owners to connect to Bethlehem water.

"I can understand that all new connections should be to the new system where it is available," board Chairman Roger Unangst said. "But I can't see telling someone that's been served by a perfectly good well that they need to tie into the system."

Piperato will take the matter up with Bethlehem and report back to the board.