News

June 13, 2008

Housing authority eyes modernization

Board OKs negotiation for contracts for improvements, repairs, security cameras.

By Steve Mocarsky smocarsky@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
Steve Mocarsky on Facebook   |   @TLSteveMocarsky on Twitter

KINGSTON – The Luzerne County Housing Authority board on Thursday authorized the negotiation of contracts on modernization projects and awarded bids for ranges and a boiler.

The board and county Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla, who attended the meeting to get acquainted with authority projects, were also updated on an apartment project for the elderly in West Hazleton.

The authority received proposals from five local architectural/engineering firms for work on several projects. The board approved executive director Dave Fagula’s recommendation to negotiate the following projects:

• Comprehensive modernization at Frank Crossin Towers and re-pointing masonry at Swoyersville Elderly – Michael J. Pasonick Jr. & Associates.

• Paving at Kingston Gardens and Luzerne Family Apartments and mechanical repairs at Lee Park Towers – Pennoni Associates.

• Roof replacement at Kingston Manor and Kingston Gardens and firewall installations at Exeter Gardens, Fairview Park and Meadowcrest – Borton-Lawson Engineering.

• Installation of video security systems at 10 elderly projects and Exeter Gardens – Architecture & Engineering Group.

Fagula said authority employees will be able to monitor the cameras, once installed, at the administrative offices via Internet.

Board member William Maguire, a retired Wilkes-Barre police captain, said police will also be able to monitor the cameras from patrol cars using equipment bought through a county grant.

The camera installation project is estimated to cost $350,000 to $400,000. Surveillance systems will be installed at all authority buildings as funding becomes available, Fagula said.

Fagula recommended that Barry Isett & Associates – a first-time responder to the authority’s requests for proposals – receive consideration for future projects.

The board voted to buy 56 ranges from General Electric Co. for $17,024 for the Plains Family development as part of a $4.15 million kitchen modernization project at authority buildings throughout the county.

The board also voted to buy a boiler for the Plains Elderly complex from R.J. Walker Co. – the only bidder – for $18,690.40.

Fagula said he will attend a zoning hearing in West Hazleton on June 24; the authority must obtain zoning variances to move forward with construction of a $4.3 million 31-unit, one-bedroom elderly apartment complex at the site of the now-demolished E.A. Encke Elementary School.

Tweet	Follow @TLnews