Mar 3, 2003 By Patty Shultz 4 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The city mayor and the director of the street department are again at odds over the construction of a building to house winter road materials. Councilman Bruce Jaynes, who oversees the street department, said Friday that Mayor Judy Reed has yet to add her signature to a council-approved contract, delaying the start of the project.

“Whether she likes it or not, (the bid) has been approved by council; the contract has been awarded; and it’s time to move on,” said Jaynes.

In August, Jaynes proposed the construction of a salt storage shed and asked the city council to consider the matter before he presented a motion to proceed with securing bids for the project.

The next month, he received unanimous support to advertise for proposals.

By a 3-2-vote margin in October, the council awarded a $79,645 contract to low bidder Rich J. Frantz Masonry and Cement Construction in Hopwood.

Jaynes said he proposed the new building after viewing the deterioration of the city garage floors and wall from the salt stockpile.

The new 30-foot-by-50-foot combination concrete and steel-paneled building is to be built at the intersection of South Alley and Meadow Lane on property that the city recently purchased from Henry J. Opperman. The site is opposite the city garage.

According to site plans, the concrete floor and walls will be coated with a sealant to guard against deterioration.

Jaynes said Widmer Engineering Inc., the city’s engineering firm, and city solicitor Joseph Ferens have reviewed the documentation to verify that it meets all building construction standards, and both have authorized the mayor to add her signature.

Jaynes insists that the majority council action is binding, despite Reed’s opposition to the project.

“I know she believes it’s too expensive, but you win some, you lose some, and this time she has lost,” he said.

Reed, however, cites several additional concerns for not signing the paperwork.

“It’s too large for the city’s needs, larger than those used by PennDOT,” she said.

“And, I don’t think we have a clear deed for the property.”

Reed cites questions about the property’s zoning, its possible historic value and location of the proposed building in connection with a nearby stream as reasons for her delay in signing the paperwork.

“It was brought to my attention that this is the location of the first coke oven in the city,” she said.

Ferens said the Opperman family is adding their signatures to the deed, which he expects to be returned to his office within the next few days.

“There is no problem with the deed or the zoning of the property,” he said. “I don’t know anything about the historic value of the property. That was never posed to me.”

Jaynes, meanwhile, said the construction company has inquired about when it can expect the signed documents.

“Mr. Frantz is anxious to get started,” said Jaynes. “There’s materials to order, and he can’t do that without the signed papers.”

Ferens said any reconsideration of the project would be possible only if the firm would release the city from the contract.

“To my knowledge there was a bid and an acceptance by council by the awarding of a contract,” he said. “The city can only be released from the contract by the contractor.”

Jaynes speculates that Reed plans to continue to delay the project and bring the matter back to council for further discussion at the March 11 meeting.

“She can try to bring it to the table again, but there is nothing to discuss,” he said.

“I’ve supported measures in the past that didn’t get full council support, and I’ve always moved on. It’s time for Mrs. Reed to move on.”