Council authorizes DEP access to former dry‑cleaner site for soil and groundwater investigation

Monroeville’s council on May 12 approved a resolution authorizing proper municipal officials to sign a consent‑for‑access agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to allow investigation of groundwater and soil at the former Eastmon (Eastgate) dry‑cleaner site at 4131 and 4137 William Penn Highway.

The resolution — presented by Mr. Graziani — said the DEP needs access to the site and adjacent municipal right‑of‑way at Kenmar Drive and may perform borings that reach beneath the roadway. "Whatever damage they may do, they'll have to repair," Mr. Graziani said during the discussion, and council members were told the agency would restore any cores or other road work.

Council also sought clarity about fiscal responsibility. Officials noted the municipality is not expected to pay for the environmental investigation; DEP, not the borough, will conduct and fund the sampling and testing. The resolution directs the proper municipal signatories to execute the consent so DEP can proceed with groundwater and soil sampling.

The agenda report described the work as an investigation into soil and groundwater contamination at the former dry‑cleaner property, and the council discussed the potential impact on municipal roadways if borings are needed in the right‑of‑way. Council members asked questions about scope and potential costs; the responses on record indicated repair obligations fall to the party doing the work and that the municipality would not pay for the investigation itself.

A roll‑call motion to approve the resolution carried. The action allows the DEP to begin site investigation work under the terms of the consent agreement; the resolution does not itself authorize remedial action or commit municipal funds for cleanup.