Ford City Contractor Chosen to Demolish West Kittanning Building
West Kittanning Borough Engineer Mike Malak of Senate Engineering opened bids to demolish the current-West Kittanning Borough Building last night with Borough Council and Solicitor Andrew Sacco (on right). The low bidder came from Ford City’s Infinity Crane and Excavation.
by Jonathan Weaver
The West Kittanning Borough Building is that much closer to demolition today after Borough Council members accepted a bid last night.
During the special meeting with Borough Engineer Mike Malak of Senate Engineering, council members recorded bids from eight contractors before discussing them in executive session.
Bids came from across the region: including two from local contractors (Tim Fouse Excavating in Kittanning and Infinity Crane and Excavating in Ford City), contractors in four other counties of Pennsylvania and one from Hubbard, Ohio.
The low bid was received from Infinity Crane just under $31,000. After a motion by Vice-President Bernie Bowser, Sr., they were awarded the contract unanimously 4-0.
Council President Cliff Neal – who was in-office eight years ago when the topic was first discussed - was surprised by the more-than $110,000 difference between the high bidder ($142,000 by Tedesco Construction of White Oak, Westmoreland County) and Infinity Crane, but relieved the project is moving forward.
“Huge, huge relief – it was eight-or-nine years ago that we started this the first time before it fizzled out,” Neal said. “$30,900 was a huge relief for (Borough Council) – and our (Borough taxpayers).”
Neal remembered estimates eight years ago were approximately $60,000.
Malak explained the range is common by bidders so spread out and was also happy by the end result. He has worked with Infinity Crane during two projects at the Northpointe Industrial Park in the past.
“(West Kittanning) had a really good turnout for the bid process and we’re happy with what the bid came in at, so I can’t complain at all,” Malak said.
Malak will be in-contact with Infinity Crane to arrange a conference and one with Borough Council to discuss specifics.
Bowser, Sr. thanked Malak for his professionalism and said he was ‘turned around’ and surprised by the low cost.
“History will show what we’re doing tonight and what’s transpired has been in the pipeline for the past seven or eight years by most of (council members seated). It was kind-of a learning thing and, as time marched on, I think it was very evident that something had to take place here to give the future people of this community some sincerity to what’s transpiring,” Bowser, Sr. said.
In all, 18 contractors reviewed bidding materials for the demolition.
He asked contractors be aware if they find any artifacts inside the walls during demolition.
Councilwoman Nancy Capone was also pleased and is continuing to seek memories from former faculty, employees or students that attended the school while it was in-use.
West Kittanning Elementary closed in 1976 before it was sold by the Armstrong School District to the borough for $1 and renovated in 1995.
Bowser, Sr. might be one of those contributors as he announced his first-grade teacher at the school was Rose Thompson in 1935.
Building Committee members Capone, Ken Trudgen and Michele Cogley were all thanked for their diligence.
The next council meeting will be at 6:30PM Tuesday, February 5 at the West Kittanning firehall.
West Kittanning | jweaver January 23, 2013
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By somethingsmells, January 24, 2013 @ 7:46 AM
Why do they go into executive session for everything? Ever hear of a thing called the Sunshine Act….only 6 reasons to go into executive session. We need to start making all these governments start following the laws.
FROM PA DCED: For what reasons can a municipality go into executive session?
To discuss personnel matters including hiring, promoting, disciplining or dismissing of employees/officials except for appointment interviews for elected positions to hold information, strategy or negotiations related to collective bargaining agreements or arbitrations to consider the purchase/lease of real estate to consult with an attorney regarding litigation to discuss agency business that would lead to disclosure of confidential information including investigations of possible violations of law and quasi-judicial deliberation.