SAXONBURG — The borough only will provide limited assistance to the Saxonburg Village Condominium associations in finding a solution to stormwater runoff problems in their housing plan along Main Street.

At the borough council meeting Wednesday, Saxonburg manager Mary Papik said the municipality’s hands are tied due to limited right of way.

“We cannot be involved directly,” Papik said.

She said the borough’s right of way does not extend any farther than 25 feet in either direction of any infrastructure it owns, such as the culverts under South Butler Street and Bella Drive.

“We don’t have the legal right of way to do it,” Papik said about doing any work past that distance.

Residents from one village association, which covers east of Bella Drive, have been complaining to the borough about problems from water flowing into their plan.

The borough received a report that a building with two units has been impacted by water flow.

“The foundation is showing damage,” Papik said in an interview.

During the meeting, Papik explained runoff from different wetlands along South Butler Street is traveling down two forks of a stream into the housing plan before hitting an earthen dam owned by one of the three associations.

“As water converges, it comes out in the gully,” she said.

Papik said the state Department of Environmental Protection determined the dam is failing.

While the borough will clean up vegetation around the wetlands, there isn’t much else it can do. Borough superintendent Chuck McGee said there is no buildup in the culverts.

McGee warned the two condominium residents at the meeting that any work Saxonburg does won’t solve their problem.

“None of our work is going to help your situation,” he said.

After Saxonburg officials consulted with the DEP, they learned of the limitations placed on the borough due to the particular rights of way.

Now, at least one of associations must address the problem, which includes the emergence of sinkholes in grassy areas.

The state requires the sinkholes be cordoned off until they’re eliminated.

Borough solicitor Mike Gallagher warned the residents that the DEP would make the borough ensure such measures are taken.

“Just move forward promptly,” Gallagher said.

Papik said the Army Corps of Engineers also would have to be involved due to the volume of water dispersed.

She said the borough would help the association get any information it needs to solve the issue.