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With main-project bid lower than expected, borough might have extra cash for other jobs
WEST PITTSTON – After months of waiting, the borough has learned that it will be awarded $1 million in state H2O PA grant funding, council announced Tuesday.
Combined with the PennVest loan approval of $9.4 million, the borough could find itself with enough money to cover some of the more pressing sewer problems outside of the main project, council President Brian Thornton noted after the meeting.
Last month, the main line of the sewer project came in at about $8 million, which was lower than engineers had expected, and it might be that the final loan approval only comes in for that amount, Thornton said.
The borough is hoping that PennVest allows the larger amount so that more work can be done, he said.
As part of the project, council was asked by PennDOT to execute a $280,000 restoration bond to ensure that both Wyoming and Tunkhannock avenues are brought back to approved condition once the sewer project work is completed. Because the line will be running through the Tunkhannock Avenue right of way, and the road is a state route, the transportation department’s approval is needed for the project.
Council also had to pass a resolution enabling the bond and forward that resolution to PennDOT, an action it took during the meeting.
In other business, council approved a request to temporarily close Susquehanna Avenue, Fort Jenkins Bridge and the Water Street Bridge on Saturday Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to noon, in order for the avenue and the bridges to be used for the Pittston Tomato Festival 5-K race.
In making the closure, council noted that the situation that occurred last year, when the bridges were closed for almost five hours, would not be permitted to occur this year.
The excessive closing period was an inconvenience to large numbers of people, council members said.
Arrangements will be made with Pittston to ensure the reopening is as prompt as possible, council said.