Dunbar Twp. appoints new building code official
DUNBAR TWP. — Township residents will no longer receive building inspections from Fayette County after action taken by township supervisors on Thursday night.
Supervisors approved to appoint K2 Engineering of Uniontown as the township’s building code official.
“I have multiple inspectors that we have working, so we provide a little bit better service than the county,” said John Over, president of K2 Engineering.
Over said K2 Engineering charges $650 for a building inspection.
Like the county, the engineering firm would execute the permit and collect the fee.
Although he said it’s more expensive than the county’s rate of $500, K2 Engineering provides eight inspections during the process, including an electrical inspection, compared to the five inspections provided by the county.
An electrical inspection can cost between $150 to $200 by itself, Over said.
“We’re cheaper in the long run,” he said. “We provide a better service. It’s a one-stop shop and it’s all-inclusive.”
Projects involving more than 1,000 square feet of new construction require a permit with regulations mandating each stage of the construction being inspected.
Smaller projects or the replacement of a roof do not require a permit.
Over said K2 Engineering inspectors bring the permit to the homeowner. In addition, once a permit is issued, the firm sends a copy of the permit to the township supervisors so that they are aware of construction that is happening in the township.
“Our service is to protect the building owner — that’s who we’re working for,” Over said.
Solicitor Tim Witt said supervisors began to consider K2 Engineering in July.
“K2 Engineering was recommended highly to us because the service they can provide is enormous,” Supervisor Chairman John Tabaj said.
In other business Thursday, supervisors reviewed bids for a single contracted garbage hauler.
Supervisors received bids from Waste Management and Veolia.
Waste Management proposed a fee of $12.60 per month for weekly, curbside pick up, or $27.60 per month for weekly, at-door pick up.
Veolia proposed a fee of $11.99 per month for weekly, curbside service, or $16.99 per month for weekly, at-door service.
The bids also included fees for dumpsters of numerous sizes, which the supervisors want to review before making a decision.
According to Secretary/Treasurer Ron Keller, the township will enter into a three-year contract with either Waste Management or Veolia. The contractor will not be able to raise prices within the three-year period.
Supervisors plan to take action regarding this item at their October meeting.
Turning to other matters, supervisors:
n Adopted the Fayette County 2012 Hazard Mitigation Plan as the official Hazard Mitigation Plan of Dunbar Township.
n Approved to re-apply for a grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a front-end loader.
n Approved to purchase a new vehicle under a state-approved contract.