CLEARFIELD – High bids for a paving project has Clearfield Borough considering alternatives.
At Thursday’s meeting, the Clearfield Borough Council opened bids for a paving project in the East End area.
The project is being funded through Community Development Block Grant money. Two bids were received for the project, and both were significantly higher than anticipated.
Community Development Specialist Lisa Kovalick said this is a common problem throughout Clearfield County. She said the unusually wet weather has been extremely difficult for the construction industry. She said many companies are not bidding any more projects because of the poor weather.
Kovalick also reminded the council that the deadline to use some of the CDBG money for this project is rapidly approaching and it is unlikely the Department of Community and Economic Development would grant an extension.
Street Department Foreman Todd Kling questioned some of the items that were put out for bid, saying that he believes the borough street department has already done some of the work that has been included in the bid.
He said it may be possible to lower the cost of the bid if, in fact, the street department has already the work.
Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott said she didn’t think the work the street department had been doing was the same work that was in the bid.
Engineer Todd Banks of Stiffler, McGraw and Associates said with the bids being so much higher than expected, and with the deadline approaching, it may be a good idea to get together with Kovalick, Kling, and Stott to see what can be done to cut the costs.
“I feel it would be premature to award the bid until it’s reviewed,” Banks said.
Also at the meeting, Police Chief Vincent McGinnis warned residents about securing their vehicles at night. McGinnis said there has been an increasing number of vehicles being entered at night. He reminded residents to remove any valuables, including firearms from their vehicles at night, and to make sure the doors are locked.
In other business, the council voted to approve:
- Closing the streets around West Side United Methodist Church for the annual block party from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sept. 22.
- Awarding the bid for trash removal to Advanced Disposal in the amount of $599.50 per month. An increase of $50 from last year.
- Awarding the heating fuel bid to JJ Powell at a fixed rate of $2.59 per gallon.
- Reappointing Andrew Brickley to the Civil Service Commission.
- Appointing Matt Kephart to the Zoning Hearing Board.
- Allowing the police chief to hire part-time meter attendants.
- Hiring Cody Haag as a part-time police officer.
- Hiring On Demand as the borough’s electric rate broker, for an anticipated savings of $1,800.
