The Bradford Township Supervisors on Monday approved more than $360,200 in construction contracts for much-needed bridge and road work.
Swanson’s Fabrication has secured a $118,562.50 contract to supply the superstructure for the Sleepy Hollow Bridge. Officials will have to re-seek quotes on pads, gravel and concrete for the bridge.
The supervisors are hoping the project will begin in July or August, and the work will take about two months, Supervisor Chairman Jim Erwin said after the meeting. The current bridge will be remain in place as the new bridge is built.
Workers from Jay Township in Elk County will help Bradford Township with the Sleepy Hollow project. The township’s workers will also assist Jay Township on its bridge project.
“I think it is a good thing working with the other townships,” Erwin said.
In other construction news, the supervisors approved a $181,055.10 contract to Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. for the West Corydon Street project.
The project, which is set to get underway during an unspecified time later this year, will take place from Clarks Lane to Pennbrook Lane, about a mile in length. Officials also approved an asphalt interlayer reinforcement to be used in that project at a cost of $60,600 to Henderson Construction Fabrics.
Also at the meeting, officials announced that a panel comprised of the Pennsylvania Highway Information Association and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has named the Lang Maid Lane bridge replacement project as the No. 1 in the state for 2017. The bridge was replaced in 2016.
“I think that’s quite an accomplishment. Not too many townships take on replacing bridges,” Supervisor Gayle Bauer said.
During the public portion of the meeting, one resident inquired about a rumor of the township’s road foreman being let go. Rather, Erwin said that the individual, who wasn’t named, voluntarily stepped down.
The individual will not be replaced, and Erwin said he will indefinitely assume those duties at no pay. He said he completes a weekly sheet of projects for workers to tackle.
Also at the meeting, the supervisors:
• Appointed Julie Newman to a three-year term on the Bradford Area Public Library board.
• Named Robert Taylor and Corey Black as a full-time sanitation crew employees at a rate of $14 an hour. Both hires were effective last month. Supervisor Steven Mascho cast the lone dissenting votes because he’d rather hire part-time employees, he said.
• Approved E&M Engineers’ estimate totaling $4,900 for engineering fees to prepare plans, specifications and bidding documents for sewer replacement work on Cedar and Spruce streets.
In the monthly police report, Bauer said that for March, officers dealt with 201 calls for service, investigated 10 motor-vehicle accidents and conducted 44 hours of traffic enforcement.
The next township supervisors meeting is scheduled for May 8, starting at 7 p.m. at the township building.
