Bradford Sanitary Authority has been working to repair some issues for customers recently.
At Tuesday’s meeting, members of the authority heard from Executive Director Steve Disney about the successful completion of repairs to an 8-inch sanitary main under the Bradford Laundromat. The line received a cured-in-place pipe lining to correct a structurally deficient segment of the line, he explained. He noted, too, the authority’s appreciation to the owners of the laundromat for working with interruptions while the authority completed the repair.
Disney said the authority had a complaint that a property at 19 Blaisdell Ave. was being damaged by stormwater runoff.
“An old curb on Bedford Street deteriorated and became ineffective over time and now allows stormwater to miss a nearby catch basin,” he explained. “BSA placed temporary diversion channeling during the timeframe the asphalt batch plants were down.”
The city’s Department of Public Works has been contacted, and is planning to replace the curb to direct the stormwater to the catch basin.
A complaint from 166 Constitution Ave. raised an issue about a city drainage pipe that has failed, causing the yard to erode, which is getting close to the garage on the property. Disney said the authority cleaned and videoed the lines, assessing the main in the area. All mains are open and functioning.
“These galvanized storm mains are still in adequate condition and have been placed on a list to be slip lined, but they are not the worst mains discovered during the extensive stormwater asset assessment,” Disney said. “Additional mains in worse condition have been discovered that will need addressed first based on conditional evaluations.”
He said stream erosion has been reported on the same property, but added that the authority does not have jurisdiction or responsibility for streams; issues need to be referred to the flood authority or the McKean County Conservation District. The conservation district was involved in the recent repair of the stream bank along Constitution, he said.
Also at the meeting, David Monroe from Upper Allegheny Health Systems addressed the authority on its current plans and progress for the proposed helipad site. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s aviation group is reviewing and finalizing landing criteria and site specifications, which upon completion will be presented to Upper Allegheny Health Systems.
Monroe said they are researching possible funding sources and grant opportunities. The process of developing a tentative long-term lease agreement between UAHS and the authority will begin. This project still has an estimated 12- to 18-month window before anything would be constructed and ready for use.
Also at the meeting, Disney said several areas of asbestos had been found in the residential brick structure on Sanitary Authority grounds, and have been properly removed and disposed of, and an air quality test came back clear.
Annual costs, as well as repair costs and demolition costs are being explored. The board approved developing a bid specification to formally bid out demolition of this asset.
In Disney’s report to the board, he said John Eakin and Donnie Hayden started their CDL training. They are required to obtain 10 hours of theory. There will be a total of 30 hours of training between theory and practical. Justin Grice has been registered to take the General Exam in Indiana, Pa., on July 16.
Regarding plant operations, two blower failures were experienced in different parts of the plant. One was on the Conventional Activated Sludge (CAS) treatment side and one on the Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment side. Substantial costs are associated with replacing the blowers. Gannett Fleming continues its effort in reviewing initial specifications for these blowers and assisting in determining a root cause analysis.
Disney added, “Our new DEP representative introduced herself at an initial visit to the wastewater treatment plant in May. A more in-depth review and inspection will be performed on June 20. This is a routine inspection.”
Giving updates, he explained Advanced Technology has successfully completed their revisions and modifications to the digester roof waterproof sealing.
Sewer and stormwater delinquencies decreased in the month of May, primarily due to the sale of Marsh’s Bar, properties being sold at Judicial Sale and residential customers paying on their overdue accounts, he said.
The Moosewatch Development property on Congress Street is proceeding to sheriff sale and is scheduled for July 10, and all parties have been notified.
The authority has been awarded a judgment against a property at 83 Jerome Ave. Ext. This account only has sewer and stormwater and has a current balance of $6,986.02. The authority board approved to proceed to sheriff sale.
A writ has been served for 21 Bagley Ave., and the authority will proceed to the court for a judgment.
A municipal lien is currently being filed against a property located at 44 E. Corydon St.
