The Gaskill Avenue Stream Enclosure Project received its final inspection. Pictured (from left): Joe Defelice, Punxsy Public
Works foreman; Brian Sekula, borough engineer the EADS Group; Ben White, borough manager; Dave Roman, Roman Excavating; Marc Adams,
Sen. Joe Scarnati's office; Larry Chenoga, Punxsy Borough Council; William Kcenich, P.E., DEP; Roger Steele, Punxsy Borough Council;
Michele Rudloff, state Rep. Sam Smith's office; and Deb Wilson, Jefferson County Conservation Disrtrict.
The families who live in the Gaskill Avenue area can breathe a sigh of relief now that Barrett Run stream is completely enclosed.
Barrett Run was in poor condition, including steep banks and a large hole with slopes that were unstable. The bank was undercut
so deep, you could almost walk underneath it. The erosion had eaten into a layer of soft un-cohesive clay. There was a
12 to 15 food drop which was quite a safety hazard. These were some of the many concerns of the people in this Punxsutawney
neighborhood.
William Kcenich, P.E., division of project development and stream improvements for DEP, along with Deb Wilson,
Jefferson Conservation District, combined efforts to alleviate the problem. Rep. Sam Smith was fundamental in the District receiving
a DCED Grant to assist with the construction costs. Punxsutawney Borough paid for the engineering costs. DEP committed
$100,000 from stream improvement funds toward the project. The stream now runs through a 54-inch smooth line of corrugated plastic
pipe with some clean-outs which run into an Army Corp of Engineers project.