KANE — Hamlin Township engineer Dan Slagle announced on Monday the Lantz Corners sewer construction project is nearing completion.
Speaking at the township supervisors meeting, Slagle said the project, which began construction on Aug. 19, 2013, is approximately 87 percent complete. He said some sections of the sewer are being redesigned based on “field conditions and township resident requests.” Slagle also presented the estimate for Dave Roman Excavating Inc. at $240,044.96.
Slagle said the pump station project at Lantz Corners is approximately 91 percent complete, noting that load testing on the emergency generator will begin on Friday. Slagle said the test will involve an artificial 20-30 horsepower load on the generator, and will last for two hours on each generator. He said the transfer switches will also be tested. Slagle presented an estimate for Konzel Construction at $159,394.80.
Meanwhile, Slagle said the Campbelltown Road grinder pump project is 95 percent complete, noting the construction has been completed on the grinder pump itself, but close out documents and restoration have yet to be completed. Slagle presented an estimate for Continental Construction at $18,180.
Township chairman Jim Trussell recommended that all the estimates would be approved contingent on the availability of funds from PENNVEST. Slagle estimated the entire project is approximately 87 percent complete.
In other news, the supervisors moved to maintain Central Collection Audit Inc. of State College as the township’s collection agency.
Supervisor Joni Britton said it would be wise to retain the company’s services.
Supervisor Dave Okerlund asked what the company’s services would cost the township. Township secretary-treasurer Nicole Causer said that since the collection agency adds its fees to the bills they are collecting, it will come at no cost to the township.
The supervisors also announced the Title 1 money they have received this year from the Allegheny National Forest distribution amounted to $30,427.32.
Trussell read a letter from the Allegheny Forest Alliance asking for a donation of one percent of the distribution, or $304. Township resident Bill Belitskus requested that a donation not be made to the Alliance. Belitskus said the township has been struggling to fix roads as funding has been lost for several years.
Okerlund said that Kasson Road qualified for some funding from a grant from the McKean County Conservation District. He said if two of the three township supervisors attend a two-day training seminar and earn their certification in dirt and gravel roads, the township could receive the grant money to maintain or improve the road. The next seminar will be held in DuBois in October.
The supervisors are also attempting to get Hamlin Township designated as an agriculture security area. Britton said the security area would protect agriculture and farmers’ rights.
The next supervisors meeting will be held at 7 p.m. July 14.
