Dec 4, 2002 By Steve Ferris 2 min read

The Uniontown Redevelopment Authority awarded a contract Tuesday to a Latrobe firm to repair or replace the pump in a 22-year-old city fire truck. Board members unanimously approved the contract Tuesday after housing rehabilitation specialist Mark Yauger explained that the final cost for the work depends on if the pump can be repaired or must be replaced.

He said price quotes were solicited after only one company responded to an advertisement for the work and that bid was rejected.

The repair companies that were solicited were asked to submit two prices – one for replacing the pump impeller and one for repairing it – because nobody will know which remedy will be needed until it is dismantled, Yauger said.

The contract was awarded to Lambert Fire Truck Repair of Latrobe based on its low bids of $7,928 for replacement and $6,651 for repairs.

Authority Executive Director William Long said the pump is in a 1982 Mack, which is the Uniontown Fire Department’s second oldest fire truck.

In unrelated business, the authority agreed to ask the Fayette County Builders Association to waive its $250 annual membership fee and allow the authority to join.

“They’re our vendors. We shouldn’t have to pay to belong,” Authority Chairman Alvin Mundel said. “We send business to them. We should have an honorary membership. This is public money and we shouldn’t be using it unnecessarily.”

The authority uses contractors from a list of companies approved by the builders association for its home rehabilitation program, Yauger explained.

The authority provides qualified homeowners with grants and loans from federal Community Development Block Grant funds for rehabilitation work.