Change order results in savings
BULLSKIN TWP.- A second change order for a $5.52 million sewerage project in parts of Bullskin and Connellsville townships has resulted in an additional $65,116 savings for the Bullskin Township/Connellsville Township Joint Sewerage Authority. The savings comes from Shallenberger Construction Inc. of Connellsville which is installing a $2,121,086 sewage collection system throughout parts of Connellsville Township.
The authority received a savings of $50,000 in April in the first change order for the project from D&M Contracting of New Alexandria.
Dick Widmer, vice president of Widmer Engineering, said the purpose behind the savings is similar in both change orders with agreements between the contractors and township supervisors regarding the restoration of the roads affected by the project and the use of selective materials on them.
According to Widmer, construction of the project is about 82 percent complete in Bullskin Township along the Route 119 corridor and about 14 percent complete in Connellsville Township.
Widmer said that about $2 million of the project has been completed since March when D & M broke ground.
“The project is going very well financially as well as construction wise,” added Widmer.
With the two change orders, Widmer said Shallenberger needs to complete another $1,800,000 in construction while D&M has completed about $1.8 million out of its $2,349,642 contract.
While the project is running smoothly, Widmer expressed some concern for the contractor that will install three pump stations under a $537,000 contract as the final phase of the project.
Widmer said D.T. Construction Inc. of Dunbar has submitted drawings for the pump stations but not for the concrete vaults. Widmer said the engineering firm plans to send D.T. a letter in regards to the matter.
“Since the other two (contractors) are moving along we’d like to have everything going simultaneously,” said Widmer.
The stations will be located along Buttermore Boulevard in Connellsville Township and along Moyer Road in Bullskin Township.
In a separate matter, Widmer informed the authority that tap-in notices for commercial customers will be mailed out within the next week. Widmer said the engineering firm hit a snafu with having to clarify several notices and could not mail them out as originally planned.
Although the tap-in fees will vary for each commercial user, Widmer said they will also receive the same discount as residential customers for early payment.
Turning to other business, the township heard from a Connellsville Township resident who is dissatisfied with the condition of her front yard and driveway. The resident said she needs more gravel and has grass growing through her driveway while the grass the contractors planted in the yard is not growing in several areas.
Widmer said the matter should be resolved within the next two months before the project is completed.
The authority also agreed to take a look at reducing the number of EDU’s (environmental dwelling units) at Church of the Open Door in Connellsville Township from three to two at the request of Ron Grimm.
Since the church and fellowship hall are located close in proximity, Grimm asked if the two structures could share the same tap-in.
The authority agreed to take the matter into consideration.