Concerns about air quality related to trains operating in Jim Thorpe took center stage at last week’s borough council meeting, where several residents described persistent, troubling diesel odors and their potential health effects on the local community.

Sharon Lo Pinto, a borough resident, shared her growing concern with council members.

“It started last fall, actually, with my noticing a terrible diesel odor and not wanting to do my laundry, not wanting to be outside cleaning up the lawn or doing fall yard things,” she said. “I was just really astonished at the level of diesel in the air. It’s coming from these trains.”

Lo Pinto said the diesel emissions were “burning my eyes” and added, “I talk to other people, they’re noticing it too.”

Her husband, Ciro Lo Pinto, spoke of the broader implications and raised concerns about preparedness in the event of a train emergency. Referencing the East Palestine, Ohio train disaster, he emphasized the potential danger.

“Is there a system in place where residents would know what to do?” he asked.

“There’s a pristine river right next to the railroad.”

In response, Police Chief Joe Schatz confirmed that the borough follows the National Incident Management System and that the county’s Emergency Management Agency has plans in place for derailments and mass casualty incidents.

“As a matter of fact, the mayor and I are taking a class in July on train derailments and mass casualty incidents,” Schatz said.

Still, Council President Greg Strubinger acknowledged the challenge of dealing with the railroad on these matters.

“Seems like any time over the years that there was a concern or something requiring the railroad to do something, the standard answer we get is, ‘We are immune from all of your ordinances and laws,’ ” he said. “To date, they’ve sort of gotten away with that.”  

Sharon Lo Pinto suggested exploring legal avenues for environmental protection under Pennsylvania law.

“We do have a state law that gives us the right to clean air and clean water … The impacts aren’t just to people and it isn’t just to the animals. It’s also the water.”

The issue of emissions was echoed by resident Amy Kubishin.

“The Silver Bullet, which is the (rail) diesel (car) train, comes Saturday and Sunday, every weekend and idles at the bottom of the Mansion House hill from about 11:30 a.m. to about 4 p.m. and that’s what we’re smelling.”

She added, “My husband works at the county lot, and he comes home those weekends coughing … It’s just horrible.”

Borough Manager Maureen Sterner suggested the county might be a good place to start, comparing the issue to a recent sludge ordinance passed at the county level. “Maybe this is more their purview than the municipality,” he said.

The discussion drew suggestions from multiple residents, including asking the train company to park the diesel cars elsewhere or reduce their frequency.

Council members expressed an interest in further exploring the concerns.

“This seems like something of a health nature,” said Strubinger. “So I don’t know where we start with an issue like this.”