FRACKVILLE - A plan for an alternative layout for the spillway at Whippoorwill Dam could reduce costs to Frackville borough compared to the original plan.
The borough has applied for a permit with the state Department of Environmental Protection to make spillway repairs. The permit application was made through its consulting engineers, Alfred Benesch & Co.
During Wednesday's meeting of Frackville Borough Council, the monthly report of Benesch project engineer Nathan G. Bevan was read by council President Ron Jordan about the project and that Benesch has submitted a response to DEP's Dam Safety's First Technical Review Letter. Bevan was not in attendance.
The dam is located in West Mahanoy Township but is owned by the borough and used by the South End Field and Stream Association.
"We talked to Benesch and the association about changing the spillway and that's where we are now," Jordan said. "It will lower the cost to the borough and the association of getting the spillway done. As everything starts moving forward, we plan to get the project completed sometime next year."
Jordan said it has been a great working relationship between the borough and the association.
"And Benesch has definitely been happy working for us to change the spillway," Jordan said.
Since the borough's population has dropped below 4,000 residents, according to the 2010 Census, it has lost its status as a federal entitlement community to automatically receive Community Development Block Grant funds. In his report, Bevan said the borough can apply for competitive CDBG funds with Schuylkill County, though Frackville is not guaranteed funding.
Bevan said applications for county CDBG funds must be submitted to the county by Nov. 26. A complete application package may require an income survey depending on the scope of the project, where it is located and it must include a cost estimate of the proposed construction project.
According to Bevan, the borough must have the application process completed in time for a resolution to be adopted at the regular November council meeting in order to make the submission deadline with the county.
"We need to have council members if they have any ideas for projects in town," Jordan said. "If you have any ideas, get them to me so we can pass them along to (grant coordinator) Bill Delgesso."
Reporting on the 2011 CDBG Program, Bevan said that Benesch completed field views and prepared estimates for the CDBG grant for the following proposed projects:
- Base repair and Superpave overlay of Mahanoy Street from Chestnut to Arch streets.
- Base repair and Superpave overlay of Mahanoy Street from Laurel to Spruce streets.
- Drainage system improvements along Railroad Avenue from Oak to Chestnut streets.
"Once the borough decides what project they want to complete based upon awarded CDBG funds, Benesch will prepare a proposal for the chosen projects," Bevan said in this report. "The design work and specifications may be completed over the winter and the project will be ready for bidding in the spring of 2013."
