Center West awaits funding
WEST BROWNSVILLE – The Center West Joint Sewer Authority is still waiting for its funding agency, Rural Utility Service (RUS), to approve its project of a new sewer system before it can advertise for bids. Engineers said Thursday that because the authority has not yet obtained rights of way on the properties for its plant and pump station, RUS is unable to approve the project at this time.
“When RUS approves the project, we can go out to bid,” said engineer Bob Bible. “They have to give us the okay first.”
Solicitor Jack Purcell told the authority that in order to expedite the process, it could decide to authorize putting the project out to bid as soon as RUS approval was received, so that it would not have to wait until next month’s meeting to authorize it.
The board voted to authorize advertising for bid as soon as the project is approved. The authority is also working to obtain additional funding for the project, since bids are expected to come in overbudget.
Chairman Dan Kendall read the authority a letter that state Sen. Barry Stout (D-Bentleyville) sent to U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown), requesting that Murtha keep him informed on any additional funding that may be available.
Stout said that the area has been in need of public sewage for years, and because of Centerville’s close proximity to the Mon Fayette Expressway, public sewage would bring in new businesses to the area that would be forced to locate elsewhere without it.
“We do have public officials on our side trying to raise additional funding for the project,” said Kendall.
Engineer Bruce Chambers told the authority that RUS is also asking them to look at areas where costs could be reduced.