An emergency sewer project in Bradford Township has hit a snag, as the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection rejected the repair plan.
A couple of months ago, the broken sewer line on Forest Hill Drive, which is off West Washington Street and across the street from Berva Drive, was declared an emergency. Sewage was leaking into a creek and backing up in at least one person’s home.
A representative from Bankson Engineers who attended Monday’s meeting of the township supervisors explained the project “encroached on a stream bed” — Marilla Brook. He said the DEP now wants the stream bed to its original elevation, which means it would no longer line up to the sewer connection on the other side.
As that issue with the original setup was from decades ago, the engineer said the DEP has assured him they will work with the township rather than immediately set penalties. He is working on a new plan to submit that will meet DEP requirements.
The adjusted plan will be more costly than the initial repair plan.
The emergency declaration had meant a contractor could be picked without a formal bid process. However, the township will probably have to put it out for sealed bids now, the engineer said.
The engineer believes he will be able to have a new plan ready for bidders in about 10 days, but he did not know if he could secure the permit from the DEP that soon.
Supervisors tabled a motion to purchase a steer skid with attachments from John Deere after Supervisor Steve Mascho questioned the need for the new equipment.
Rather than purchase the steer skid, he feels they just “need someone to show the guys how to use the grinder.” However, he does believe the township could use new equipment such as a plow truck or a backhoe. “A backhoe’s something we use all the time,” he said.
They did accept a quote of $34,168 to purchase a new Dodge Charger AWD Police Pursuit vehicle from Beyer Fleet Dodge. The new vehicle will be unmarked and will replace a 2013 Dodge Charger with 104,000 miles.
The police department will also get 11 new Ballistic vests, as the supervisors accepted a quote from Markl Supply Co. to purchase vests for $10,220. Part of the cost will be covered by a $3,000 grant Chief Robb Shipman secured.
Shipman noted the old vests may be used for training purposes or given to mental health advocates.
Supervisors voted on bids made to the McKean County Tax Claim Bureau for the judicial sale of two properties; One was denied and the other approved.
They denied a sale of 994 South Ave. for $300. Supervisor Chairman Jim Erwin noted the house is condemned and has no electricity, water or sewer.
“It needs to be torn down, not rehabbed,” he said.
Meanwhile, they approved a bid of $500 for 69 Edgewood Road.
They approved motions to advertise for bids to pave Songbird Road — to be paid for with state funds — and to purchase road materials. They also approved a motion to sell a 2009 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle in as-is condition.
The next monthly supervisors meeting is set for 7 p.m. May 13.
