Aug 14, 2002 By Steve Ostrosky 3 min read

MASONTOWN – A new tank to help correct a backwash problem at the borough’s water plant could cost the borough as much as $80,000, according to estimates presented to council Tuesday by the borough’s engineer. Last fall, the borough received a letter of violation from the state Department of Environmental Protection, and borough engineer Russ Mechling told council three months ago that correcting the problem would require the construction of a 50,000-gallon tank. In exploring how much such a tank could cost, he said early estimates came in between $55,000 and $60,000 for a concrete tank and $75,000 to $80,000 for a steel tank.

However, Mechling reported that a company from Henderson, Ky., could provide the tank for $35,000, substantially less than the previous inquiries.

Solicitor Gary Monaghan asked why Mechling was getting price quotes on tanks and reminded members that a purchase of any tank would have to go through the bid process and be awarded by council.

“DEP has requested we do this to take care of the backwash,” Mechling said. “We will have to advertise for bids, but I wanted to know what is out there.”

Backwash occurs when storm water enters the water lines and cannot be treated because of water volumes. The untreated water is being discharged into the streams, which prompted the DEP notice.

At council’s May 14 meeting, Mechling told council that he informed DEP the new tank would be operational by the end of the year.

In another matter, council voted to purchase a police vehicle from Fike Chevrolet after it was learned the borough might incur some costs if the purchase was put on hold for a year. The borough received $15,000 in state grants and $10,000 from Fluor Constructors, which is working at the new Duke Energy facility, for the new vehicle.

In May, American Heavy Rigging and Hauling Co. of Richmond, Va., purchased a new $23,300 vehicle for the borough police department.

Sheilah McGalla, police committee chairman, said the price of the vehicle would go up next year and the borough would have to absorb any amount over the granted funds.

“I think this is the right decision at this time for us to be able to do this,” she said. “The police department can rotate the cars.”

Police Chief Richard Barron said the borough will continue to search for more funding sources in an attempt to purchase another new police vehicle within the next three years.

Council also granted a zoning permit to Ronald Smith of 207 River Ave. to construct a storage shed and rejected a bid of $229 on the 1996 Chevrolet Caprice police car that had been advertised for sale.