ROOSEVELT — Discussion about improvements to the borough streets and roads dominated last week’s Borough Council meeting.

Resident Bob Clark told the Borough Council that Spruce Lane was filled with potholes, causing vehicles to go onto lawns on either side of the road to avoid them.

"When the ground thaws out, this will create tire marks," he said, adding that Spruce Lane was the only unpaved road in town.

According to Clark, there is more traffic on Spruce Lane than on North Valley Road, Oscar Drive, Eleanor Lane, or Brown Street.

"There is no real drainage, nothing to channel the flow of water, no proper grading," he said. He asked when the road might be paved.

Mayor Mike Hamilton replied that for a short-term solution, they would get some fill for the potholes.

Road improvements will be discussed in the near future at a Planning Board meeting.

"It needs to be tended to; we’ve waited a long time," said the mayor.

Clark wanted to be sure that the street was put on a list to get grants.

Councilman Neil Marko explained that, last year, only a grant for road improvements to Pine Drive was received, although Spruce Lane was on the list. Councilman Jeff Hunt added, "Pine Drive gives access to the school, so it’s prioritized."

Hamilton reported that last week, due to a deep freeze followed by a sudden thaw, a major local water main broke on Route 571, near Rossi’s Deli.

Thanks to the efforts of water/sewer manager Toby Moore and others, the location of the leak was quickly identified, the water re-routed and pressure built up again, so that only four houses were without water for an extended period, the mayor reported.

Hunt said it was later discovered that the pipe had deteriorated from the inside. When the hole is reopened in the spring, he suggested engineer Roger Hall inspect the whole line, in case the rest of the water line has also deteriorated. In other business, on March 7, Bernarda Shahn, widow of artist Ben Shahn and an artist in her own right, will celebrate her 100th birthday. Hamilton said he will coordinating with various groups for a celebration of the occasion. Hunt said that former Councilman George Vasseur will be coming on as a part-time maintenance man and water/sewer operator for the borough, and will begin training immediately.

Councilwoman Beth Battel reported that a letter had been received from Fire Department Chief Kim Dexheimer, who was setting up an emergency management meeting. She said Dexheimer needs more volunteers and increased manpower.