WEIGH SCALES - Construction could begin in August to repair damage to the Shamokin-Coal Township sewage system caused by September's record flooding, the sewer authority's engineer said.
Scott Keefer, of Great Valley Consultants, said during Wednesday's meeting of Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority that a permit application for the repairs was refiled with state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
A ruling on the application could arrive in six to eight weeks, he said. If approved, the project could be bid in July and construction begun as early as August.
DEP had rejected a prior application in late winter, saying the authority waited too long to file. The explanation was a bit dumbfounding to some at the authority, given that water levels remained abnormally high for four months, delaying an inspection of damages.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently reviewing project costs, Keefer said. Once the review is complete and a DEP permit is secured, he said the agency is expected to approve $1.3 million in funding for the repairs.
That estimate increased $90,000 since the previous estimate, he said.
Other repairs
The cost to replace portions of sewer interceptor lines in Shamokin's Fifth Ward was previously estimated at $525,000. Another $100,000 will be needed to repair or replace 10 manholes in the Shamokin Creek channel. Other repairs include damage to a pump station and a water treatment building in Ranshaw at a cost of $48,000, and repairs to exposed pipes near Shamokin's Rescue Fire Company at a cost of $35,000.
Easements must be obtained to allow access to area waterways where repairs are to be completed.
Sam Rumberger III, interim director of operations, said Thursday that three easements were approved. Those easements are along the creek bed near South Pearl Street in the Fifth Ward.
A fourth easement is being pursued on Washington Street between Water and Lincoln streets in the city.
Apart from repairing damage, the project would also alleviate the amount of creek water from reaching the sewer plant.
In lieu of federal reimbursement, the repairs are expected to be paid with funding from the authority's trust fund, as reported in March.
In other business
Authority members voted to approve the design for the installation of three sewer drops and a 15-inch storm water line on Chemung Street in Coal Township.
The street will be repaved once the work is completed.
Authority members also voted to hire two summer employees at a rate of $7.25 an hour - Kieran Kelley and Keena Zalar, the daughter of authority member Phil Zalar, who abstained from a vote on her employment.
There are eight summer employees working for the authority. Phil Zalar said the authority received reimbursement for a portion of their salaries.
To date in 2012, there have been 230 termination notices sent to area customers and 165 of those accounts have been paid in full, totaling $60,985.49, according to Rumberger. Fifty-nine accounts have been terminated, two delayed for payment and two pending bankruptcy proceedings.