By MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER

marcie@bradfordera.com

The Bradford City Water Authority has opted to table bids for the Lafayette timber sale, which was more than 865,000 lineal board feet of timber.

At Wednesday’s meeting, Executive Director Steve Disney said a bid opening was held Tuesday for the 865,660 feet of timber, with species being primarily black cherry, hard and soft maple and tulip poplar.

“The authority is tabling the bids to allow the current climate of economic instability to settle,” Disney said.

Ken Kane of Generations Forestry provided an update on the watershed’s timber. The Luther access road is receiving road raking activities to restore limestone from the berms to the roadway surface. A forestry tour on the Bradford Watershed is being planned to include the Penn State University Dean of Agriculture.

Speaking of tours, Disney said staff and operators “recently visited the Olean Water Treatment Plant as they continue to evaluate various water treatment methods to determine which will be best for the Bradford Plant upgrade. The authority is currently working with both WesTech and Roberts Filters to schedule a pilot test at the treatment plant to provide definitive results of the various clarification methods utilizing raw water from Bradford’s reservoir sources.”

Disney also mentioned that water delinquency rates decreased slightly during March.

“The authority is proceeding with sending Matthew M. Johnston’s property located at 21 Bagley Ave. to sheriff sale,” he said. “The sheriff sale is scheduled for May 7, 2025. Mr. Johnston currently owes a balance of $8,041.63 on water, $8,599.68 on sewer and $1,617 on stormwater, for a total balance of $18,258.31.”

He said a lien is being filed against Ken Marsh’s property at 11 Edwards St. “Mr. Marsh currently owes $1,347.98 on water, $1,715.14 on sewer and $892.75 on stormwater, for a total of $3,955.87,” Disney explained.

Under new business, a bid opening was held Monday for lagoon cleaning at the treatment plant. “Despite 14 contractors requesting bid packets, the authority received zero bids,” Disney said. “Bankson Engineers and the authority will be contacting several of the contractors who requested bid packets to see what feedback they can obtain.”

The authority accepted a bid from Keystone Utility Systems for the installation portion of the water meter project in the amount of $952,883.

“Upon recommendation from the authorities’ auditors, a formal agreement was established between the water and sanitary authorities to jointly fund this re-metering project,” Disney said.

The water authority approved it Wednesday, while the sanitary authority approved it last month.

He continued, “Included in the funding agreement discussions, the authority approved an Agreement for Professional Services with Bankson Engineers for meter installation engineering services. Additionally, the authority approved EAP Industries to provide on-site training and support for the meter project.”

Disney announced some work underway that will cause some dirty water in the system.

Valve exercising is being conducted through May 2.

“Crews physically operating the valves can occasionally create a brief period of disturbed water,” he explained. “Customers are reminded if they incur dirty water, to please let their cold-water taps run until the water clears again, do not run any hot water during these events. Valve exercising is a proactive activity to keep the valves in good operational condition.”

System flushing is scheduled for the beginning of May — the 5th through 13th. Dirty water may be incurred then, too. Customers should let their cold-water taps run until the water clears.

The 2024 Drinking Water Quality Report has been completed and posted to the authority’s website. Consumers can directly access the report on the internet at bradfordwater.com/ccr. html. Individual copies will not be mailed; however, printed copies can be obtained at the Water Authority office, located at 28 Kennedy St. All drinking quality parameters and benchmarks were achieved.

Disney reminded customers that the fishing piers at Marilla and Luther reservoirs are closed for emergency repairs. “Structural issues were discovered on the foundations at both,” he said.

The Tuna Valley Trail Association (TVTA) invited the authority’s board to a dedication celebration to be held May 10 at the new Marilla Landing and Pavilion.

And the authority recognized the long-term, dedicated years of service by Administrative Assistant Jody Zimmerman, who is retiring after 39 years.