HARMONY — Borough residents raised concerns about a hydrogen sulfide leak on German Street at Tuesday’s council meeting, requesting that Harmony seek a permanent solution, keep the residents in the loop on the efforts and disclose any future leaks.

“If there’s things leaking into our community we’d like to know about it,” said Brenda Benek, a borough resident affected by the leaks. “We’re asking for assistance in finding out what the problem is and finding a permanent solution.”

Hydrogen sulfide, also known as sewer gas, occurs naturally in sewers. It is poisonous, corrosive and flammable.

According to Benek, the sewer authority has been working to fix the leak, but so far has implemented only a temporary solution. Benek said residents have appreciated the authority’s transparency.

“Autumn (Heckathorn, sewer authority assistant manager) was very forthcoming with information,” Benek said.

Still, residents are concerned about the leak.

“Any fireman knows what that (hydrogen sulfide) is,” said Thomas Kolesar, borough resident. “It can build up and blow our homes up.”

In addition to pursuing a permanent solution, Kolesar recommended the council consider supplying homeowners with sensors to detect leaks.

“This has been leaking into our homes,” said Benek. “We have young children; we have elderly people with health issues.”

Council members said they have been in touch with the sewer authority and are working to find a solution to the problem.

Also at the meeting, council also chose a fire inspector for commercial buildings — Tom McCosby.

“He’s familiar with the town and he has experience with these kinds of buildings,” said Jason Sarver, a council member.

The vote came after the Harmony Fire District insisted that the absence of an inspector put the borough at risk of fire or mishap.

Council also discussed plans to offer the borough’s eligible volunteer firefighters a tax credit as recently permitted in Act 172, which Gov. Tom Wolf signed earlier this year.

Since the Harmony Fire District covers Zelienople as well as Harmony, council chose to table the motion until Zelienople releases its firefighter tax credit ordinance to offer the fire district the same from both boroughs.