CHJA rejects construction bids
Canonsburg-Houston Joint Authority Thursday rejected all construction bids for the wastewater treatment plant upgrade project, as the authority and Canonsburg Borough work to determine whether the authority or borough should float the $30 million bond required to complete the project.
The bids were rejected because they expired April 27, 90 days after they were advertised. The board plans to re-advertise to solicit those construction bids, but did not choose a definitive date.
The authority did, however, approve a motion to advertise for bids for the replacement of two digester covers that are estimated to cost $1.5 million.
The digester covers sit atop digester tanks, where bacteria break down solids.
“We’re replacing the covers because they’re completely worn out. It’s an important piece of the operation of the plant, and if we don’t replace them it would interfere with the process at the plant,” said Michael Alterio, chairman of the CHJA.
The authority also will solicit bids for the pump station to meet an upcoming deadline in order to remain eligible for a county grant for the project.
The board set a special meeting for May 14 to award the digester cover contract.
Also, the authority said a representative from Huntington Bank will attend Canonsburg Borough’s May 12 council meeting to discuss the implications of the borough floating the bond instead of the joint authority.
Rich Russo, vice president of Canonsburg Borough Council, said the borough wants to solicit input from at least two financial institutions as the municipality and the authority weigh which entity should take out the bond for the overdue upgrades at the sewer plant, which serves five municipalities.
Earlier this month, a PNC representative told Canonsburg council members it would be about $725,000 cheaper for Canonsburg Borough to float the bond and loan it back to the authority for its plant project.
In addition, the authority discussed progress in talks between Houston and Canonsburg boroughs to create an operating authority and to extend the life of the authority (both Canonsburg and Houston councils need to approve extending the authority’s life for at least 30 years, the length of the bond).
Houston Borough approved a memorandum of understanding, and Russo said Canonsburg council hopes to approve the memorandum at its May 12 meeting so both boroughs can sign the agreement to create an operating authority.