By Greg Reedy

Record Sports Editor

JOHNSONBURG – The Johnsonburg Municipal Authority heard updates on the wastewater system upgrade project from Uni-Tec project manager Dan Guss.
Bison Construction has informed Guss that they will be in town the last week in June, possibly as early as next week. They have hired a paving contractor to do the work on Woodland and Water Street. At the same time, they are scheduled to work on restoration for the Luhr, Oliver and McDivitt properties.
Guss said there have been no known further developments on the dispute between Elk County Concrete and Bison Construction.
Guss said Uni-Tec continues to wait for Web site entries to be completed by PennVest to finish up the application for the last 5 percent ($127,650) in the final pay application.
On the wastewater system upgrade project, Guss said Uni-Tec  has had weekly e-mails or phone calls from PennVest following up on the project status and making sure Uni-Tec is staying on schedule. So far, the bidding and other closing activities are on the schedule that was approved by the board at the last meeting which is leading to a PennVest settlement by July 31.
He said the solicitations that the Authority is required to make for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) have gone out on time. He has also written a letter to plan holders to remind them of the bidder’s responsibilities to have their DBE solicitations and paperwork done prior to their bid on July 7.
Uni-Tec has suggested that all efforts continue to be made to acquire any of the grant funds still available from these two programs. Because the PennVest grant was awarded before bids were opened, additional funds could well be needed to make up any shortfall due to bids coming in high than estimated. We have been following up with Bob Rusiewski and he has had numerous contacts with the agencies in order to keep these grant requests moving.
Uni-Tec understands that The Pump station parcel is agreed on and the deed may be signed by now or in the near future.
PennDOT has approved the purchase of the parcel next to the plant and it appears that the process is very close to completion. Guss said assuming that both parcels close in the next few weeks, the land will be settled in plenty of time to meet requirements for a contract award and PennVest settlement.
The bid for the project was advertised on May 21. The pre-bid meeting will be held on June 23 at 2 p.m. The bid opening will be on July 7 at 4 p.m. Awarding of the contract is scheduled for July 24.
Asbestos has been removed from the existing treatment plant potable water plumbing insulation. This was done to get the asbestos out of the building prior to any general contracting work. This does not include laboratory flooring.