Dec 6, 2002 By Joyce Koballa 3 min read

BULLSKIN TWP. – Three contractors involved in a $5.52 million sewerage project to parts of Bullskin and Connellsville townships will continue to work throughout the winter, according to the engineer for the project. Dick Widmer, vice president of Widmer Engineering, said the overall project is about three-fourths complete.

Members of the Bullskin Township/Connellsville Township Joint Sewerage Authority on Wednesday reviewed the status of the project with Widmer and learned that the work is proceeding well.

“We’ve had very few problems and very few complaints,” said Widmer, noting, though that road repairs could cause an inconvenience for residents in some areas until paving is conducted in the spring.

Of the three contractors, Widmer said, D & M Contracting of New Alexandria is about 94 percent complete with the installation of a sewerage system along the Route 119 corridor and part of Pennsville in Bullskin Township. Shallenberger Construction Inc. of Connellsville, which is installing the system to part of Connellsville Township, is about 65 percent complete, and D.T. Construction Inc. of Dunbar has installed the first of three pump stations.

According to Widmer, D.T. is 30 percent complete with its phase of the project and since November has installed a pump station along Moyer Road in Bullskin Township.

As for the pump station that will be built along Buttermore Boulevard, Widmer said D.T. has indicated that it could be forced to blast part of the area after encountering rock.

If the situation arises, Widmer said, the work would come at no extra cost to the authority under D.T.’s $537,000 contract.

A third pump station, located along DeMuth Road, also would be constructed.

In a similar matter, Widmer stated that Shallenberger would be responsible for extending the sewer lines in Connellsville Township to Johnson Lane and part of Connellsville Street, after last month’s approval by the authority.

With the exception of any additional pipe that is needed, the extension will be paid for with leftover funding from several change orders, including one for $65,116 from Shallenberger.

Widmer said the extension would enable the authority to pick up about 50 new customers, who will undergo the same procedure associated with tap-in notices and discounts.

To date, Widmer said, the authority has collected $414,570 in tap-in fees, with 85 residential customers and 35 commercial customers that still haven’t paid.

The authority also conducted the following business:

– Heard again from Bullskin Township resident Grace Clark, who said that some of the grass that was replanted in her yard either grew into weeds or did not grow at all. Clark addressed the authority in October, citing additional problems such as needing more gravel in her driveway and replacing the lid to her well, which she alleged was damaged during construction. Pat Stefano, authority chairman, said he would present the matter to the contractor.

– Learned from Widmer that paving has been completed along DeMuth Road, Hawthorne Street and Carson Street in Connellsville Township.

Reviewed and discussed a sample advertisement from Widmer for a part-time office clerk. The board also noted that the authority needs someone to observe and clean the pump stations at least three times a week.

– Agreed to enter into a one-year lease from authority member John Dilworth for an office location at Dilworth Place along Route 119 at a cost of $450 per month, including utilities. Stefano said the authority received no response from other parties contacted about renting. Dilworth abstained from voting.

– Agreed to hold the authority’s reorganization meeting Jan. 8 at 7 p.m., followed by the regular meeting.