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Access road work damages Mt. Jewett sewer line |
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Written by Publisher
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Wednesday, 11 November 2009 |
Photo by Ted Lutz
Patrick McGuire (right), chairman of the Mt. Jewett Regional Sewer Authority, extends his appreciation to Larry Julian (left), who has served on the board for the past seven years. Julian announced Tuesday that he will not seek appointment to another term on the board. His current term expires Dec. 31.
MT. JEWETT -- Construction of a road to access a remote part of the Mt. Jewett sewage system is blamed for damaging a section of sewer line.
Bucktail Excavating of St. Marys was the contractor for the project to construct a 3,419-foot gravel road along the sewer line on the west end of the sewage collection system.
The route of the road runs east from a manhole near the western borough line with Hamlin Township. The manhole is near the Knox and Kane Railroad tracks in the area of Red Barn Hill.
The recent construction of the 14-foot wide road enabled the authority to gain access to the sewer line, which runs through woods. After the road was completed, Pipe Eye Sewer Services of Bradford was able to access the area and continue a project to clean and televise the interior of the eight-inch sewage collection line.
During Pipe Eye's work, it was discovered that a 14-foot section of the sewer line had been crushed, according to a report given Tuesday by Rod Peterson, sewer plant operator for the authority.
In the report at the authority's meeting, Peterson indicated that the sewer line damage had been caused by the contractor during construction of the access road. He said there is "no environmental damage."
A full report and photos were sent to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Peterson said.
Patrick McGuire, chairman of the six-member authority, said he believes the contractor is liable for repairing the damaged sewer line. He said the authority should "hold them accountable" for the damage.
The authority already has made a payment to Bucktail for $12,388.50-- half the cost of the access road project. The authority plans to withhold payment of the balance of $12,388.50 pending consultation with Mark Hollenbeck, a Bradford attorney who provides legal services to the sewer board.
The authority is using Pipe Eye to exam the 70-year-old sewer line on the west end because this line is the link with the proposed Lantz Corners Sewer District in Hamlin Township.
In other business at a 45-minute meeting Tuesday at the borough building, the authority:
•Received notice that Larry Julian is not interested in re-appointment to another five-year term on the board. His current terms expires Dec. 31.
Julian has served on the board for the past seven years. A 1965 graduate of Smethport High School, Julian moved back to Mt. Jewett in 1991 after he retired from the U.S. Secret Service.
The Mt. Jewett Borough Council appoints members of the sewer authority.
•Discussed the 2010 budget for the authority. At this time, there is no increase in the sewer rate, McGuire said. The authority is expected to adopt a budget at its meeting Dec. 8.
•Agreed to return a $150 deposit to Howard Drilling. The company paid the deposit when it leased the former Matson Lumber site in February 2008. The company has since purchased the property.
•Agreed to ask Hill Engineering of North East to prepare a DEP permit for the solar-powered unit at the sewage treatment pond.
•Discussed a suggestion from Kerry Roslinski of Pipe Eye to inject foam into sewer lines to kill tree roots that Pipe Eye equipment can't reach.
•Discussed plans to repair a manhole at Anderson Street and Main Street (Route 6).
•Discussed a proposal to insert sleeves to repair broken joints in certain sewer lines. The sleeves can be inserted through existing manholes, Peterson said. The use of sleeves would eliminate the need for excavations, it was noted.
Mt. Jewett Regional
Sewer Authority
When: Tuesday, Dec. 8
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Mt. Jewett Borough Building
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 December 2009 )
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