Greene Co. commissioners take action on bridge projects
WAYNESBURG — Greene County commissioners approved several actions Thursday pertaining to various ongoing county-owned bridge projects.
Commissioners approved two temporary easements for the construction of Bridge No. 72, which is scheduled to be built on Simpson Chapel Road in Morris Township. The county needs access to two separate pieces of land in order to build the new bridge.
The first easement is for .14-acre of land belonging to Robert J. Trozzi, for which the county will pay Trozzi $600. The second easement is for .061-acre of land owned by Meadowwood Land Co., which is donating the land to the county.
County Chief Clerk Jeff Marshall said bids for the 58-foot long bridge are expected to be approved this summer and construction is expected to begin sometime this year.
Commissioners also approved a request from Widmer Engineering of Connellsville for the reallocation of funds available from the first part of the final design for Bridge No. 55 over Bloody Run in Gilmore Township. The requested $8,167 will compensate for additional hours needed to address issues concerning the design of a temporary access road that are beyond the scope of work, Marshall said. The transfer of funds would allow for the completion of the project without increasing the contract value, he added.
Commissioners also approved a request from Widmer Engineering for the reallocation of funds available from the the first part of preliminary design for Bridge No. 99 over Ten Mile Creek in Morgan Township. Marshall said the requested $15,000 will compensate for additional hours needed to address comments to prove that construction vehicles will have access to the site using the existing structure, which was not figured into the original scope of work and additional time necessary for completing the right of way. The transfer of funds also would allow for the completion of the project without increasing the contract value.
Bids for the project are expected to be approved this summer and construction is slated to begin sometime next year.
Commissioners also approved construction plans for Bridge No. 97 over Craynes Run in Washington Township. Marshall said bids for the project are also expected to be approved this summer and construction is also slated to begin sometime next year.
Funding for the projects involving Bridges No. 55, 97 and 99 is being paid through the state Department of Transportation, and the project involving Bridge No. 72 is being funded through natural gas drilling impact fee proceeds and settlement money received by the county resulting in a court case involving previous damages to the bridge, Marshall said.
In other business, commissioners approved a shared-distribution agreement between 11 counties in southwestern Pennsylvania and United Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania, LLC that will enable the participating counties to share 911 services. Marshall said the agreement will be a cost-saving initiative for all involved parties and will cost Greene County $14,612 if all 11 counties agree to participate.
In a related matter, commissioners approved a five-year agreement with United Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania, LLC, to replace telephone equipment at the 911 Center in Waynesburg at a cost of $112,763, which is contingent on the signing of all partners in the shared-distribution agreement. Funding for the initiative will be paid for through wireless telephone money obtained by the county through 911 fees placed on land lines and cellular phones, he added.
In other matters, commissioners approved a contract with Fleming-Walker Inc. of Portersville for additional change orders in the amount of $3,193 for storm water improvements and the construction of a new storage garage at the county fairgrounds.
Commissioners also approved an agreement with Widmer Engineering for bid and construction design services for repairs to Murtha Drive in Franklin Township in the amount of $10,722. The cost will cover the bidding, construction oversight and design work of the project, and the work is expected to start sometime this summer, Marshall said.
Commissioners also agreed to modify a change order from Higgins Hauling of Waynesburg for an ongoing improvement project at the Alpha Aquatic Center in Franklin Township. The change order will give Higgins Hauling an additional $1,600 for deck repairs, as well as $3,000 that already hasbeen budgeted and approved for additional joint caulking repair, Marshall said.
Commissioners also approved a proposal from First Student of Dry Tavern to provide bus transportation for youths from Bobtown, Jefferson and Nineveh attending the county day camp this summer. First Student was awarded the contract after submitting the low bid of $12,325.
Commissioners also accepted the resignation of Chuck Baily from the county’s industrial development authority effective April 19, and the resignation of Kirk King as solicitor for the county’s tax claims bureau effective April 22.
In other matters, commissioners proclaimed May Older Americans Month. The proclamation acknowledges the 8,443 Greene County citizens who are age 60 or older and have made countless contributions and sacrifices through employment, military service, volunteering and raising families.
Commissioners said the county is committed to helping all people live longer, healthier lives by partnering with programs, agencies and other service providers. The proclamation also emphasizes the importance of injury prevention and safety awareness to help older Americans remain health and active in any setting.
Participating in the proclamation were Nancy Riggle, supervisor for Greene County Area Agency on Aging; Sue Rice, senior citizen member; Sharon Willison, chief of staff for state Sen. Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg; Leslie Grenfell, executive director of SWPA AAA; Freda Pyle, senior citizen member; Pat Lemley, senior citizen member; Dave Coder, chief of staff for state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson; Bridget Dennison, senior center director for Community Action; William Teagarden, care management coordinator for Community Action; and Stacy Strohman, senior services director for Community Action.