SMETHPORT — It was déjà vu all over again Monday, when McKean
County Commissioners Joe DeMott and Judith Church awarded a
contract to replace 45 windows in the Old County Home building to
The Window Source — for the second time.

This time the commissioners had compared quotations on
single-hung windows, received from five qualified bidders: The
Window Source, Jim Wankel Home Improvement, Falk Construction,
Hammer and Nail Contracting, and Foster Brook Glass and Mirror. The
bids were opened at 10 a.m. last Tuesday, at the beginning of the
commissioners’ regular meeting.

The Window Source’s bid of $11,655 for supplying and installing
45 single-hung windows was lowest.

Firms had been invited to quote on single-hung or double-hung
windows, and some had; others had based their bid on one type or
the other. Bids ranged from $11,655 to $18,821. The windows were to
be Energy Star rated, and to have employ enclosed argon gas for
added efficiency.

Last Tuesday, the commissioners had awarded the contract to The
Window Source, but chose his double-hung window model, at a project
cost of $13,455. Owner Harold Moore demonstrated the double-hung
model and pointed out the convenience of being able to tilt both
sashes for cleaning, permitting full access to all glass surfaces
from inside.

At that meeting Wankel’s bid was considered to be disqualified
for lack of a bid bond. But not long after the meeting, Chief Clerk
Audrey Irons and Church re-checked the envelopes prior to
discarding them to be recycled with other waste paper. That was
when Wankel’s bid security check was discovered clinging to the
inside of the manila envelope.

The other commissioners were notified immediately, and the
contract decision was put on hold until the Monday meeting, already
scheduled.

To clear the way for reconsideration of the bids at Monday’s
meeting, the commissioners rescinded last Tuesday’s action to award
the contract to The Window Source, based on the double-hung window
model. Church made the motion and DeMott seconded, and both voted
aye. Commissioner Al Pingie was absent, said to be on vacation.

Moore was present, and asked for permission to address the
commissioners. He pointed out that there would be no serious
drawback to using single-hung windows for this project, because the
window units are six feet tall, making it unlikely that maintenance
and custodial workers will find it practical to tilt both sashes in
for cleaning purposes. For home use and smaller windows, that
feature might be worth the difference in price, as Moore explained.
Such large, institutional-type windows are a different matter.

In appearance and in energy conservation, the single-hung
windows he will supply are identical to the double-hung models,
Moore said.

Moore had brought his installation foreman to Monday’s meeting.
Old County Home project coordinator Skip Linnan also attended the
session. After the meeting they went to the project site to confer
on details. Moore hoped to start the project very soon.

Another project at the Old County Home was advanced when the
commissioners opened the sole bid for construction of a metal roof
over the existing shingle roof over the Penn State Cooperative
Extension Office.

Falk Construction of Port Allegany had submitted a quotation of
$11,420, which the commissioners accepted. They pointed out that
Falk Construction had been the contractor that carried out a
similar project involving a different roof section, earlier this
year.

In other business, the commissioners approved payment of three
invoices. All will be paid from the Liquid Fuel Fund.

Hamilton Township will receive $4,260 and Keating Township will
get $10,010 for their completed projects. Also authorized was a
payment to Northwest Engineering Inc. for bridge inspection
services for the period ending Nov. 23.

The commissioners said they would release the proposed budget
for 2010 today. It will be posted online. DeMott and Church said it
does not call for a tax increase.