Millcreek Twp. seeks bids for paving, oil and chip projects amid rising costs

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The Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to request bids for the paving of Dierwechter Road and oil and chip treatment on West Texter Mission Road at its monthly meeting Wednesday.

The township received an estimate of $180,004.15 for the paving project, spanning around .78 miles of road. Road foreman Ryan Risser reported that travelers of the road tend to drive in the center due to significant deterioration on one side of the road from years of plowing.

Risser said the road is expected to require around 400 square yards of base repairs on the north side in addition to typical paving costs. He said he has “never seen a bid come back higher than the quote” both for paving and oil and chip projects and said the final price may be lower. However, he said the recent volatility in oil prices could affect final prices.

Double oil and chip treatment on West Texter Mission Road is expected to cost $79,190.25, said Risser. The township had initially expected this project to come in at around $50,000. Risser mentioned that last year’s estimate for oil and chip was estimated at around $130,000 but the low bid came in at around $109,000.

Risser said that though the township currently has $223,000 in liquid fuels funding (a state allotment dedicated to maintenance of public streets), they plan to spend around $49,000 on a payment for a Western Star truck used by the road crew (which still has two payments remaining). This will leave around $174,000 in liquid fuels funds, with any remaining costs needing to be pulled from elsewhere.

Supervisors agreed to advertise both projects with the understanding they can reject bids if they come in too high or if plans change. They will review bids on April 8.

“One thing I would like to start doing is getting estimates for, hopefully, next year’s projects this year, so that way when it comes budget time we can better budget for it,” said Risser. “The price of everything is just skyrocketing, with paving. … When I first started here in 2015, we paved South Mountain Road for $100,000, and that was over a mile. The bad part is, we’re getting to the point where a lot of our roads that need done are our longer roads.”

Risser also presented supervisors with a quote for a 2026 Ford F-350, a crew cab with a six and a half-foot bed, for $81,469.15. The COSTARS quote includes a plow.

If purchased, the work crew’s 2005 truck with over 150,000 miles would be sold on MuniciBid. Risser recommended supervisors consider a three- or four-year financing plan for the vehicle.

No formal decision was made, but supervisors opted to make a decision following the receipt of road project bids.

In other news, supervisors:

• Heard that the police department has received 29 applications through Indeed and two through its website. Several applicants were Act 120-certified, which means they have already received mandatory training and would not need to be put through the police academy by the township. No action was taken, as the deadline for applications is March 27.

• Signed plans for a development at 202 S. Kalbach Road (four 63′ by 500′ poultry barns) and a development at 733 SR 419 (a 55′ by 120′ storage barn).
• Unanimously approved a $30 per yard quote from Martin’s Mulch, with the township expecting to use around 200 yards of mulch. Martin’s also allows the township to dump there for free if they purchase mulch from them, Risser said.
• Unanimously approved a stone bid and escalator cause, renewed with the exception of the addition of 100 pounds of 2B rock.
• Unanimously approved a resolution expressing support for an America250 PA parade in Jonestown July 3, and a $250 donation to the parade.
• Unanimously approved a $6,859.19 radio purchase for the police department, using LSA grant funds.
• Unanimously approved a yearly contract for $4,893.65 for lawn care with Green Acres.
• Unanimously approved a contract for two portable restrooms with Walters Services for $192 per month total.
• Heard about water damage in the White Swan Park bathrooms, to be further discussed at a future meeting.
• Discussed potentially using a text emergency notification service for residents, to be further discussed at a future meeting.
• Unanimously approved a junkyard license renwal for 14 Stricklerstown Loop Road.
• Unanimously approved a letter of support for April as Pennsylvania Safe Digging Month.
• Unanimously approved meeting minutes and reviewed reports.

Millcreek Township Board of Supervisors meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. These meetings are open to the public and do not require prior registration.