Deadline passes on Antrim water plant upgrade

Yet another delay on construction of the water plant upgrade did not please members of Antrim Township Municipal Authority Monday night. At the regular monthly meeting, members Bob Coladonato, Bob Schemmerling, Chad Murray, Elwood Myers and Rodney Eberly learned that the Feb. 28 completion date had not been met. Public works director Tom Davis broke the news.

"The contractor seems to be moving at a glacial pace," he said.

Trademark Contracting Corp., Clear Spring, Md. was awarded the bid in December 2009, and the first deadline to finish the project had been set for October. The general construction bid was $1.1 million. B&R Electrical Contractors, York, was also hired for $264,400.

Steve Zellar, representing Brinjac Engineering, told ATMA that Trademark was waiting on B&R which was waiting for ordered equipment to arrive. He thought Myers' suggestion to send a warning that work be done in 15 days or the township would seek liquidated damages was reasonable. Davis said the company was aware of the deadline and may have been lax in ordering supplies. ATMA had already granted extensions.

Zellar wanted all construction done by May so that ATMA could file paperwork in June for the $1.25 million Infrastructure Development Grant, which would ideally fund the entire project pending any significant change orders. Schemmerling also wanted the authority to be sure to follow the terms of the contract so that it would not lose any leverage in getting the upgrade done or determining payment.

The water plant is part of the negotiations between ATMA and Greencastle Area Franklin County Water Authority, as Greencastle seeks to purchase the township water system.

In other business, Antrim administrator Brad Graham stated that Bank of America had approved the loan for the refinancing of two bond series, and the deal should close March 3.