» CDBG Changes Allow For Continued Water Extensions

CDBG Changes Allow For Continued Water Extensions

County Planning and Development Assistant Director Carmen Johnson explained several local change orders to County Commissioners before their approval or conditional approval subject to Solicitor Chase McClister’s final review.

by Jonathan Weaver

A few change orders during the last Armstrong County Commissioners meeting helped keep some municipal sewage and water projects on-schedule.

County Planning and Development Assistant Director Carmen Johnson explained the first of which was to ensure work through the Kittanning Suburban Joint Water Authority in North Buffalo Township.

“The County had allocated a portion of its CDBG funds and had also received a competitive grant for the water line extension project along Glade Run Road and Bypass Road,” Johnson said. “There were some unforeseen costs and some service connections that had to have an open cut on the State road.”

Nearly $5,200 was needed to continue that project is being performed by Tim Fouse Excavating in Kittanning, increasing the total contract to nearly $525,000.

Those additional funds are reportedly to be spent soon after the agreement is approved by County Solicitor Chase McClister.

Out of the 25 households that will receive service, about 50 people will be affected. Residents did not have water previously, and had problems with both quality and quantity.

“It’s always good to get water to people who really need it,” Johnson said. “You never know what it’s like without water until you don’t have it.”

Funding is also provided by a low-interest loan through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST).

In April 2013, Tim Fouse Excavating – located on Silvis Hollow Road – was the lowest of 14 bidders at $519,000 to extend water service.

Another CDBG change order will provide more service at the southern tip of the county.

Kiski Township and the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County asked and recommended for a more than $4,200 change order to continue its water line extension project with W Construction of Greensburg (Westmoreland County).
“Kiski Township had allocated portions of its CDBG funds to the Shade Plain Water Line Extension Project for Phase 1 and Phase 2. The reason for the change order is because of the location of the utilities, there had to be some additional pipe put in the ground,” Johnson said.

W Construction’s contract is now estimated to cost more than $64,000

McClister approved the change order.

County Commissioners redistributed 2009 Community Development Block Grant funding after a West Kittanning water project is under-budget.

“The First Avenue water line replacement was under-budget. There is a little over $34,000 that must be spent by October of this year,” Johnson said.

Commissioners agreed to transfer $17,282 to Ford City Borough to pave nine alleys between O`Connor Street and Eighth Street this summer in the Central Business District and $17,581 to the Center Hill sewer tap-in project – which is also in North Buffalo Township near the West Hills Area Water Pollution Control Authority office.

Commissioner Chair David Battaglia noted that the tap-in project will help those low-income families. Funds have also been allocated to help with lateral connections associated with that project.

“It’s great that we can help out the lower income people,” Battaglia said.

Current sewage tap-in fees in the Center Hill area cost $3,250 each.

Commissioners meet again publicly at 9AM Thursday.

Local News | jweaver June 18, 2014