Bethel Township moves forward with Tree Line Ave. pipe replacement

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The Bethel Township Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to the low bid of $236,224 for a pipe replacement along Tree Line Ave. at its monthly meeting Thursday.

While none of the three supervisors were happy about the cost to replace the underperforming and failing pipe, supervisor and roadmaster Michael Saphore said he felt the work is necessary.

“I’d like to go forward with it,” said Saphore. “I think it’s the right thing to do; enough time, planning, legwork has been put into it already, and it’s time to get the job done.”

Supervisor Bruce Light voiced agreement, noting the pipe has been on the township’s radar for two to three years and the bid, with a planned completion date of Aug. 15, does not give supervisors enough time to explore other options.

Dolly Construction was the low bidder out of the five letters submitted to the township.

The action included a stipulation that the township engineer and solicitor review the bid to ensure numbers line up.

The board also unanimously granted two waiver requests for the incoming Bell & Evans cook facility.

Supervisors granted a request to waive streetlights along state Route 22 in exchange for an additional streetlight along Fredericksburg Road, as well as a stormwater minimum depth waiver, both as recommended by boards.

The board did not take action on a request to waive the sidewalk requirement along Route 22. Work is ongoing on a plan for an alternate walkway winding further from the state roadway, and supervisors opted to wait until that plan is in place to approve the waiver.

Supervisors also unanimously agreed to approve a time extension request until May 16 for that plan.

Supervisors also unanimously granted two waiver requests for Bell & Evans Plant 2. One routine waiver concerns plan submission. Supervisors also waived a requirement for a 10-foot shoulder along Route 22, as recommended by the planning commission.

In other news, supervisors unanimously:

• Agreed to participate in the MY WORK state program, which uses state funds to pay students to perform work in local parks during July.
• Agreed to accept a 60/40 split of funds offered by Copart of Connecticut with Jackson Township, which are to be used on roads that will see heavy use from changes incoming to the junkyard.
• Agreed to forego a shop inspection of steel beams for Camp Strause Road Bridge.
• Agreed to advertise the 2025 road projects.
• Approved requests from the Fredericksburg Lions Club to hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt April 19 at 2 p.m. and a “Pictures with the Easter Bunny” event after the egg hunt.
• Approved the application for an America250PA grant of $5,000, which would require matching funds from the township if received.
• Approved the purchase of six stacking resin sandstone chaises for the park for $795.
• Approved reports and minutes.

The next scheduled monthly meeting of the Bethel Township Board of Supervisors is Sept. 12 at 7 p.m. at the township municipal building.