Water Authority Approves $200,000 Refurb

The Kittanning Suburban Joint Water Authority's water treatment plant along Tarrtown Road will have more than $200,000 worth of renovations done before the snow falls this winter, including a new roof.

by Jonathan Weaver

A local water authority will spend more than $200,000 in building renovations later this year.

Kittanning Suburban Joint Water Authority directors approved to use authority funds for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit renovations and for a roof replacement to the water treatment plant.

The renovation bids were approved 6-1after nearly a half-hour of debate and indecision. Directors Tim Medice, James Richardson, Tyrone Shaffer, Barry Peters, William Swank and Karl Swigert approved while Steve Geidel dissented.

Authority Engineer Randy Krause opened bids earlier this week and announced results to the public and directors at their meeting Tuesday.

“We took bids yesterday (Monday, August 15) at 2PM here at the office for the HVAC system renovations and the roof replacement,” Krause said.

Directors received two bids for the HVAC renovations, from Controlled Climate Systems, Inc. of Canonsburg, Pa. in the amount of $107,900 and Hranec Sheet Metal, Inc. of Uniontown. Krause admitted the bid is higher than estimated, with the budgeted amount being $73,000. Extra expense was found due to duct work specifically sought with stainless steel material.

Krause, of Bankson Engineers, endorsed the contractors and said more than 30 were contacted to see if they were interested to apply for the job.

“Controlled Climate has worked for us before on a number of projects, and have always done a good job,” Krause said. “And they have the experience, equipment and manpower that it’s going to take the project.”

Directors had questioned whether it would prove efficient to re-open the bidding process.

A total of three companies applied for the treatment plant roof replacement: Triangle Roofing, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Strongland Roofing Systems, Inc of Vandergrift and Miller-Thomas-Gyekis, Inc., of Pittsburgh. Miller-Thomas-Gyekis, Inc. was the lowest bidder with a $104,474 proposal.

The bid is more than $1,500 lower than the $106,000 replacement estimate.

Authority Manager Richard Lauer said capital reserves will fund the two projects, which total $212,374, including the 18-year-old flat roof.

“This roof’s inconsistent – we get leaks in different places and water spots move around – “Leaks in the office, leaks in the plant, over the water fountain, in the lav(atory). One storm it won’t leak, next storm it will leak,” Lauer said.

Directors hope to complete renovations by the end of 2011.

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