Antrim supervisors consider payment for services
The quality of services provided to Antrim Township and the prices charged were scrutinized Jan. 11 as supervisors determined which companies to retain.
Public works director Tom Davis said the township had used PA Percs for traffic signal maintenance since 1991, but he had compiled figures from additional companies as well.
"Other people can do it for a better price and the quality we're looking for, too," he said.
Responses to a request for proposal added American Traffic Solutions, and Republic Intelligent Transportation Services, Lancaster, as contenders. Davis conducted reference checks and noted Washington County was "enamored" with ITS. Overall, the company's preventative maintenance and labor fees were lower than the other two. The board approved a one-year service agreement with the recommended newcomer, with an option to extend it.
Though there was some criticism of Global Data Consultants for its computer software and support services, township administrator Brad Graham recommended extending the contract for another year.
"Considering what we've put into place, we have some pretty good technology here," he said. "We're just working out the bugs. To not approve this leaves us hanging with no IT support."
Global was hired in January as information technology service provider for $20,550, and in March to install a $23,000 computer system purchased through the Pennsylvania CoStars program, for a fee of $3,950. Staff was unsure if the glitches Global was encountering were due to the company itself, or the programs Antrim was using, but they agreed there were more problems than expected. Supervisors voted to keep Global for 2011.
Graham resurrected documents for Antrim Township Community Park projects, stating he had made clerical errors which required correction in bid actions. On Dec. 14 the board awarded a contract for construction of tennis and basketball courts to GRC General Contractors for $29,300. In reality, that bid was for a pavilion and benches. The board then gave GRC the job for the right project. Additionally, Graham recommended the courts project go out to bid again, since the lowest of five was still $172,000.
Other business
Chairman Sam Miller suggested the township newsletter, not published for several years, be revived specifically to inform all residents on the impact of Norfolk Southern's intermodal terminal on township life. He had encountered people who did not know Milnor Road would be closed, despite extensive coverage in newspapers and other outlets. The issue would be published after a worksession in which he hoped to discuss road issues with NS and elected officials.