Written by Jake Keiter and featured in our August 2023 print edition!
In a recent council meeting held on Wednesday, July 5th, the Jonestown Borough Council made the decision to unanimously reject a bid of $120,899 from Construction Master Services for the George H. Kaufman Community Park playground improvement project. The council’s choice came after the bid exceeded the allocated budget by a significant margin.
During the previous month’s meeting, the council had opted to delay their decision on the bid due to its inflated cost. As the council had initiated the bidding process relatively late in the construction season, they received only one bid. Recognizing the limitations imposed by the timing, the council resolved to rebid the project around September or October, with construction anticipated to commence in the following spring.
One of the concerns voiced during the previous meeting centered around the uncertainty regarding the DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) grant awarded to the project. The council questioned whether the grant would still be applicable if the project were postponed. However, engineer Lee Strause provided reassurance during the recent meeting, confirming that the grant remains valid until 2025.
Before initiating the rebidding process, the engineer will conduct a thorough assessment to determine which aspects of the project can be undertaken in-house by the borough. This strategic move aims to reduce associated costs and make the project financially viable within the allocated budget.
During the meeting, Mayor Joe Quairoli presented an interesting cost comparison. He shared that he had received an estimate of $718 for a barricade and 10 pieces of signage for the State Route 72 Bridge Closure Project, which is scheduled to commence construction in the spring of next year. Mayor Quairoli pledged to explore alternative cost options for signage and the possibility of borrowing a barricade from another municipality, ensuring the efficient use of resources.
In another unanimous decision, the council approved the purchase of 50 “Did you Know” booklets for a total of $339. The borough plans to sell these booklets to the community. Secretary Joan Keefer pointed out that the last purchase of 100 booklets had cost $333. The new batch of booklets will serve as a valuable source of information for residents while also contributing to the borough’s revenue generation efforts.
Lastly, the council agreed unanimously to award end-of-year bonuses of $200 to each of the five school crossing guards. Typically, these bonuses would amount to $100 each. However, due to an oversight, the crossing guards missed out on the December bonus, prompting the council to double the amount as a gesture of appreciation for their dedicated service.
With the rejection of the bid for the George H. Kaufman Community Park playground improvement project, the council remains committed to pursuing alternative options and strategies to bring the project within the allocated budget. By leveraging in-house resources, exploring cost-effective alternatives, and actively seeking grants, the council aims to enhance the park for the benefit of the Jonestown community.
