May 27, 2009 3 min read

The Lafayette School project literally changed direction Tuesday after the Uniontown Area School Board heard that fill found at the site of a proposed addition would increase the project price. Edward Balsavage with CMX Engineering of Pittsburgh said at a buildings and grounds committee meeting that test results of a geotechnical study performed at the school recently led to the discovery of fill material at the southern side of the property where a new gym was proposed to be built. Balsavage said the tests show no indication of hazardous materials, but revealed that the fill is predominantly contained of ash as well as some organic debris and heavy metal contaminants, which, he said, is “nothing to be alarmed about.

“There are some elevated levels of metals. It is not a hazardous waste site. … We found no indication of hazardous materials. No stains, vapors or drums,” Balsavage said. “It’s something that there does not have to be great alarm about,” but calls for further investigation and review of the fill and nearby stream.

The “historic” fill extends to a depth of 23 feet and is probably man-made. It is not natural soil, he said. The architect said the fill has probably been at the location for 50 years.

As a result of the study, John Beddia, senior project manager with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates Architects of Mechanicsburg, recommended to not build at the site of the fill, thereby eliminating a risk he tagged “less than desirable.”

He said piles and grading beams would need to be used during construction if the district were to build on the site, costing the district approximately $500,000.

Dr. Charles Machesky, district superintendent, proposed building a similar addition onto the Park School side of the property, located on school’s left side. Plans to house the district administration offices at the school and the renovation/addition projects planned for the high school and Ben Franklin School would remain the same, he said.

The board directed Beddia to develop new drawings of the school and Balsavage is expected to provide a cost estimate of additional geotechnical work.

Rob Smalley, the school district’s director of buildings and grounds, said core drilling will need to be performed at the newly authorized site of construction.

Balsavage said he and Beddia are “crossing their fingers” that similar underground fill material will not be found at the new site.

Also at the meeting, investment banker John McShane with the firm Boenning & Scattergood Inc. said if federal stimulus money is used toward the project, the district might be able to skip submitting a new feasibility study to the state Department of Education.

The department voided renovation and new construction plans for the three city schools after determining the study used to justify the projects did not contain all the required information.

The board scheduled a special meeting for 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 to authorize sending a letter asking that the department allow the district to waive the feasibility study requirement.