TREVORTON - Timetables are set for two major construction projects in Zerbe Township.
At Monday's board of supervisors meeting, Chairman Michael Schwartz and supervisors Mike Mazer and Gene Geise outlined schedules for the First Street culvert project and the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.
Bids for the culvert project, which will repair creek walls and help alleviate flooding, were advertised Friday in several newspapers. The bids will be opened at a special meeting 6 p.m. Monday and are expected to be awarded at a meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, July 22, after they have been reviewed by engineers.
Language of the contract will require that the work be completed in 30 days from the time the bid is awarded; if not, the firm will pay a $200 per day penalty. As far as the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is concerned, the work must be completed by Sept. 15 or the township risks losing state funding.
The timetable, solicitor Roger Wiest II said, is contingent on owner clearances on four adjacent properties, which are owned by two private citizens, Northumberland County and a railroad company. The township already has approval from the county and will be contacting the citizens and railroad, Wiest said.
In July 2012, PEMA awarded $472,233 in disaster relief funds to fix damage from Tropical Storm Lee, which flooded parts of Zerbe Township and washed out the First Street Bridge. On Sept. 7, 2011, rapidly rising water forced the evacuation of three homes in the area and a water rescue of five residents.
The board also heard from William Hill, of Gettysburg, the engineer assisting the township with planning for the wastewater treatment plant. In his 20-minute presentation, several issues were raised, but the township still plans to advertise bids on July 20 and open them on Aug. 21.
In April, PennVEST approved $4 million in funding for the project, $2.9 million in a low-cost loan and $1.1 million dollars in grant money. More than likely, residents and businesses will see a rate increase to help pay back the loan.
The new plant, scheduled to be finished by December 2014, was mandated by the state.
In awarding the grant and loan, state officials cited possible economic development in the township from the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, and the need for a modernized treatment system.
In other business:
- The township is looking for individuals, preferably with contracting experience, to be part of its Uniform Construction Code (UCC) appeals board, which meets only when someone files an appeal to a UCC decision. Anyone interested should contact the township office.
- Residents are reminded to remove trash from their properties, per a number of complaints of trash not being removed on a regular basis at some locations. - Surveys regarding income levels will soon be distributed to residents on Schwartz Hill Road, Mountain Street and First Street on income levels to see if the township can qualify for funding future projects based on low income status.