Unity awards $2M in contracts for paving, roof replacement, storm sewer project

Jeff Himler, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

May 15—Supervisors in Unity are tapping the township's first-ever bond issue to finance replacing the municipal building roof, storm sewer improvements and a massive paving program that will include more than 80 roads.

At their May meeting, the supervisors awarded a $121,700 contract to TRS Roofing of Williamsburg, the sole bidder, to replace the municipal building's aging rubber roof with a new version.

Roof leaks in recent years have been repaired only to return, Supervisor Mike O'Barto said. "The last time that a new roof was put on was in the early '90s," he said. "What they offer now is a lifetime warranty."

Supervisors also intend to extend the life of stormwater pipes in Jamell Acres and along Mission Road. They will pay low bidder Insituform Technologies of Chesterfield, Mo., $195,980 to insert liners in the pipes without excavating them.

The township used a similar method to improve pipes in East High Acres and Lawson Heights as part of a larger storm sewer project funded in 2017 through a $2 million PennVest grant.

Supervisors in April awarded the paving project to Tresco Paving of Plum, initially approving just under $1.5 million in asphalt resurfacing work. This month, they added more roads to the project list, increasing the cost by about $255,000. O'Barto noted the township will pave many roads that haven't received attention in four decades.

Some of the roads included in the project are portions of: Monastery, Lakeview, Glengary, Rollingmeadow and Bessemer drives; Theatre, Kingston and Fayette streets; Lloyd Avenue Extension; Allegheny Avenue; Mutual Patch and Sawmill roads; and selected roads in Pleasant Unity, Charter Oak, East High Acres, Dorothy and the Pipetown and Wimmerton areas.

The township plans to borrow about $8 million for these projects and others through a bond issue the supervisors authorized in March. O'Barto has said the supervisors don't expect to raise taxes to meet debt service payments on the bonds.

In addition to replacing the roof of its office building, the township is looking to replace the deteriorating cover of its salt storage facility and will advertise for bids.

Senior picnic planned

As the region emerges from covid-19 pandemic restrictions, Unity is making plans for a senior summer picnic. The event, for those age 50 or older and their guests, will be held at 11 a.m. June 25 in the Lakeside Pavilion next to the township municipal building.

Tickets cost $5 and are available at the township building. Space is limited. Call 724-539-2546 for more information.

Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff at 724-836-6622, jhimler@triblive.com or via Twitter .