Commissioners look to push waterline repair cost off taxpayers
While a more than $3,100 invoice has been paid for waterline repair work, some members of the Fayette County Prison Board believe the taxpayers should not bear the financial burden.
The payment issue was broached during the recent board meeting by Commissioner Al Ambrosini, who along with Commissioners Vince Zapotosky and Angela M. Zimmerlink, District Attorney Jack R. Heneks Jr., Sheriff Gary Brownfield and acting Controller Jeanine Wrona serve on the board.
The billing occurred following an April incident at the county jail when a waterline that supplies both the lockup and annex was punctured and interrupted service at the locations.
At the time of the break, GeoMechanics Inc. of Elizabeth was conducting a geo-technical survey of the county prison property when its drill struck a two-inch water line located along the rear parking lot entrance to the lockup.
The drilling was being done to determine the ground structure as commissioners planned the expansion and renovation of the current prison.
While Pennsylvania American Water company supplies the water to the main service line, the county had installed its own line to handle water needs at the prison.
Whitby Plumbing of Uniontown was called to repair the line.
The bill was received in May and paid July 8 through the bond fund, according to Chief Clerk Amy Revak.
“I don’t think the taxpayers should pay for this,” said Ambrosini. “This is either the responsibility of Astorino/CannonDesign of Pittsburgh or GeoMechanics.
“GeoMechanics was under the technical direction of Astorino to do the work.”
Zapotosky agreed.
“Shouldn’t you know where the line is before you drill?” he said following the meeting. “I believe our solicitor should take a look at this and advise us how to proceed.”
Zimmerlink questioned Ambrosini about signing the purchase order to pay the bill if he had reservations.
“Certainly the contractor should be paid,” he responded, adding again that the county should seek reimbursement from the firm that was overseeing the project or undertaking it.
Last year the county hired the architectural firm to design the project.
In June, representatives presented an estimated $32 million, two-phase design, that when completed would add 128 beds to the lockup, a designated law library, multi-purpose room and janitorial and storage space.
The second phase would include a new intake/booking area, sallyport, staff and public spaces and medical and visitation areas.
The cost does not include any renovations to the current 126-year-old prison.
Ambrosini, who has long-supported constructing a new prison at another location, said to consider any plan that would include building on the current property, “is misguided.”
“The cost has now verified that it is not cost effective,” he said. “We knew that two years ago when Crabtree (Rohrbaugh and Associates) gave us those nearly same results.
“And, here we are spending more money.”
Last fall, after nearly three years of planning, Zapotosky and Zimmerlink shelved Ambrosini’s proposed new construction project to look at other, less costly options.
The estimate for a 115,000 square foot, 400-bed facility as designed by Crabtree was also about $32 million.
The commissioners continue to review the Astorino/CannonDesign plan. No public discussion or official action has taken place to proceed with further design.
Zapotosky, meanwhile, said that he planned to discuss the Whitby billing issue with county solicitor John Cupp.
Zimmerlink, Brownfield, Wrona, nor Heneks responded to an email requesting their comments as to whether the county was responsible for the billing.