Shortly after calling the meeting to order Monday night, the Bradford Township Supervisors asked those in attendance if there were any questions or comments related to agenda items specifically — and hands went up across the room.
For nearly the next hour, all three supervisors, the secretary, and Owen Beachy from Laurel Highlands fielded numerous questions, comments, and clarifications about the East Warren Road Bridge (EWRB) project.
Don Cummins asked many of the questions about the items on the agenda. He wanted to know why the township was paying ETA for work that Laurel Highlands had just been paid to complete.
Laree Sue Behan, supervisor, explained that Beachy would be reimbursing the township and that the township would then pay ETA for the services they completed. When asked why, one of the supervisors stated there had been a falling out with the contractor. Beachy added that the reason they were “paying back the money is because the contractor thought they had a contract with the township, but they actually had a contract with Laurel Highlands. We worked it out and will both do 50/50 — $41,000.”
Cummins asked if there is a schedule for the project and why is it not in writing? And, Behan responded, “Do we need a schedule?” To which the entire room answered back, “yes.”
Beachy explained that there are two phases to the project, one for engineering which is complete; and one for construction. But Cummins questioned how that was because there weren’t any stamped drawings, yet they had already been paid for? Beachy and Cummins argued about the back and forth of getting the bridge drawings finalized when Cummins asked about the testing and permits that were required and paid for. He asked the supervisors if they were all on file. Supervisor Mark Cline looked at Beachy who was shaking his head yes, and Cline said, “he says they are.” Cummins said “that is not enough. Are they on file? Do you, the supervisors, know that the permits have been pulled?” Susan Gibiser, township secretary/treasurer shuffled through the file but Cummins moved to his next question.
“What is the amount of insurance you carry,” he asked of Beachy directly.
Beachy described his liability insurance and how it works. Cummins asked if a copy of the insurance is on file, and stated for a project like this it should be at least $1 million.
Supervisor Steve Mascho commented that today was the first time township solicitor Chris Byum of Stapleford & Byham LLC had reviewed the contract for this project, and he didn’t like what was in it.
Dave Geitner asked if there was still an engineer on the project and was told there was. Cline stated it was just a falling out between the father and son of ETA and nothing more. Laurel Highland and ETA are still doing the work as planned, according to Beachy.
Except, there is still a disagreement about the drawings. Beachy stated they will be using the original ones and will not do a redesign agreement. Whereas ETA said the drawings are not final.
All motions on the agenda were voted approvingly, with one item receiving a no vote from Steve Mascho. The item in contention was a request to accept the estimated quote of $12,000 from Land Services Group to conduct Construction Stakeout for the EWRB. Discussion on this included the company would need to provide an itemized invoice before getting payment.
Other motions accepted pertaining to the EWRB that caused much of the debate prior to voting included the following:
Agreement #1 as stated and written for ETA, Inc. for Construction Stakeout Plans for a total cost of $2,000 for the finalized, completed and to be submitted by 8/10/2022 to the Township and Laurel Highlands Structure
Pay Request #1 in the amount of $2,000 to ETA, Inc. for the finalization of the Construction Stakeout Plans; payment to be sent after 8/10/22
Agreement #2 as stated and written for ETA, Inc. for Substructure Calculations and Plans; Bidding & Procurement Services; Construction Site Meetings for a total cost of $41,000 for the finalized, completed and to be submitted by 8/24/22 to the Township and Laurel Highlands Structure. Approval is contingent on the inclusion of additional liability and insurance provisions by the township solicitor.
Pay Request #2 in the amount of $30,000 to ETA, Inc. for the finalization of the Substructure Calculations and Plans; Bidding & Procurement Services; Construction Site Meetings; Payment to be sent after 8/24/22
accept the estimated quote from Land Services Group to conduct the Construction Stakeout at a cost of no more than $12,000
The supervisors also received one bid from Delullo for Limestone aggregates material which was accepted. The deliveries should begin on Wednesday.
Finally, the township sold the 2013 Dodge Charger for $5,300 on Municibid. These funds will be used to install the dash camera and Tracs system in the new Tahoe for the police department.
