The Bradford Sanitary Authority has found an interim executive director, and plans are continuing to transfer the operation to a self-sustaining agency rather than a department of the City of Bradford.
Steve Disney, executive director of Bradford City Water Authority, is filling in as interim director at the sanitary authority until a permanent replacement can be found. In April, Executive Director Rick Brocius passed away unexpectedly, leaving the department without a leader.
Chairman Bob Douglas and the authority’s board asked Disney to step in.
Thanking the authority members and staff, Disney said, “My goal would be to continue the vision set forth by Rick and the BSA board of directors for the Bradford Sanitary Authority in all aspects, and to honor the BSA mission statement for the communities and customers we serve.”
Regarding the department’s future, plans have been created to transfer employees from city employment to working for the authority directly. The goal is to have it accomplished by July 1. Attorney Mark Wassel of KMSG Law will plan a trip to Bradford to review the process with the employees.
Disney explained that special counsel Lee Stinnett will be visiting to draft a new policy for stormwater delinquency collections.
In other business, the authority learned that the review process for the state’s Small Water & Sewer Grant has been postponed until at least Sept. 15.
“Due to the delay, we are moving forward with the replacement of the sanitary sewer line on Pine Street in anticipation of being completed prior to the streetscape project which includes new pavement,” Disney reported after the meeting. Meetings are planned this week to finalize the project to put out for bids. The project, which includes installation of four new manholes, replacement of 300 feet of 8-inch sewer line and the increasing of the slope to correct sags, is estimated to cost more than $51,000.
An update was given on operations at the treatment plant as well. The office and lab walls have been completed, a catch basin has been installed in the storm drain along the driveway to the old garage, a new personal protective equipment area was implemented and a large pine tree was removed from along the fence of the plant property, among other work.
Phase 3 of treatment plant improvements are progressing, with site paving completed and a few minor paving issues on the punch list. Site grading and restorations should be completed within the next week. Insulation for the lines of the heat pumps are underway.
Hickes Associates will be installing the new gate and actuator at the Red Box area. “This was scheduled to go below grade but we have since opted to keep it above grade. Bollards will be installed at all 4 corners of the actuator and electric services in this area and a new door fabricated,” read a report from Disney on the meeting.
Authority crews addressed two plugged lines and one line that was damaged by a contractor, and root cutters have been ordered to assist with sanitary line inspections.
Stormwater issues were investigated in several issues. Disney noted that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recently cleaned some ditches in the area, which should help with stormwater issues.
“In anticipation of the planned city street paving for 2020, we have determined that a catch basin replacement was needed on Boylston Street near the Bradford Club and a Sanitary manhole needed replaced on Bagley Avenue,” the report noted. “High Street required a catch basin repair and a manhole investigation.”
Riser rings were ordered to have in stock for the upcoming paving project.
