Point Marion moves forward with waterline project
?POINT MARION — The waterline replacement project is moving forward, with borough officials set to meet with the contractor next week to discuss construction.
Council members learned Wednesday that the USDA’s Rural Utility Services (RUS) program gave its approval for the borough to notify S&E Utility Contracting Inc. of Jeannette that the company was awarded the project and could begin construction.
The $2,061,837 contract was awarded to S&E Utility by unanimous vote. The company originally submitted a bid of $2,389,417 but $327,580 in expenses was shaved from the total cost to remain within budget via a change order that will accompany the contract.
The project involves the replacement and installation of waterlines, service connections, valves and fire hydrants in Point Marion and a portion of Springhill Township.
Also included is construction of a water storage tank that will be used while the borough’s current water tanks are refurbished.
Council also learned Wednesday that the water tank is complete and ready for use.
The borough received a $500,000 grant from the Army Corps to help pay for the project and will borrow about $1.7 million from RUS. State grants also were received to help pay for the project from the state Department of Community and Economic Development.
In August, council agreed to accept an interim $1.7 million loan from Centra Bank.
Money from the loan is being used to pay for the project until money from grants and RUS becomes available.
The $1.7 million loan is for two years with a fixed interest rate of 4.15 percent.
The majority of the waterlines in the borough are more than 100 years old and often break. Council has been working on the waterline replacement project for several years.
In other business, council heard from a resident who expressed concerns regarding excessive noise coming from a bar on South Main Street.
Council said there is not much the borough can do regarding actions that occur on private property or inside the bar, but said the state’s Liquor Control Board should be notified.
Council also heard from members of the borough’s park commission. Commission members asked if the borough would be able to provide more help maintaining the park and said the four-member board is stretched thin.
The borough, council members said, will do what it can to help. Council also encouraged residents who use the park to volunteer their time.
The next council meeting is scheduled for 7?p.m. July 6 in the borough building.