CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners opened two bids for the construction of a storage facility for the Clearfield County community service program at Tuesday’s regular meeting. The commissioners tabled action pending further review by its engineer and probation director Don McClusick.
In February, the county approved constructing the facility near the Clearfield 911 building on Leonard Street. The facility will house maintenance and lawn equipment used by the juveniles and adults in the program, according to prior GantDaily reports. The county’s lowest base bid came from Thacik Contracting of Curwensville in the amount of $74,800.
The facility will measure 54 feet by 40 feet, which includes 12 feet by 30 feet storage wings on either side, McClusick said in February. For cost-saving purposes, he said it will be a single-story facility, but he wasn’t certain of the building’s exact height measurements.
“It’s going to be built at no cost to the taxpayers,” McClusick said, adding the construction costs will be kept under $25,000. When asked at the February meeting, Commissioner Joan Robinson-McMillen said the facility will have electricity and a water hook-up for hoses.
McClusick said during the summer months, juveniles and adults mow little league fields, cemeteries, church yards and at Curwensville Lake for community service projects. In addition, their service projects include detailing the county vehicles.
He said their community service program is willing to establish working relationships with any non-profit organization or municipality. Robinson-McMillen said the program presents juveniles with productive opportunities and a purpose.
The storage facility will also be shared with the county’s maintenance department, McClusick said after the February board meeting. He said they’ve been working alongside the department throughout the planning process.
The commissioners received three bids for the facility’s construction; however, one arrived 13 minutes late. Commissioner Chairperson John A. Sobel asked County Solicitor Kim Kesner if the county should consider opening the said bid, as its lateness could have been related to the weather conditions.
Kesner told the commissioners it was at their discretion to determine if the bid’s lateness was a material or immaterial matter. Chief Clerk Lisa McFadden pointed out the bidding process has been properly advertised, and the bid could have been mailed earlier to which Robinson-McMillen agreed.
“I guess you’re right. If you know the weather is going to be bad, you leave earlier,” Sobel said. Robinson-McMillen said the third bidder knew the submission deadline and didn’t meet it. The commissioners were advised that typically late bids are not opened for consideration.