Richland Borough Council approves $23K change order for well project

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

Richland Borough Council voted unanimously June 9 to authorize a Garden Spot Electric change order of $23,619.56.

Authorization was given pending approval by borough solicitor Andrew George of the settlement agreement. Mayor Owen Landes and council member Shawn Watrous were absent.

Council president Kelly Bricker explained the borough will be reimbursed for the Well No. 9 switch to cellular communication by Keystone Engineering Group due to the initial radio design failure and delay. Keystone began troubleshooting issues with the well and its radio communication in January. 

Township engineer Casey Kerschner of HRG said Garden Spot Electrical is working with Tristar to have parts manufactured to set up cellular service for Well No. 9. Kerschner said cellular communication for the well is tentatively set to be operational by July 10. Water samples from the well are not yet meeting standards, but Kerschner said investigations are underway to determine why and remedy the cause.

After hearing two quotes for fencing to be used for securing Well No. 9, council approved a quote of $7,550.73 from Myerstown Sheds and Fencing and authorized that payment.

Council also approved a first payment application of $406,800 for the elevated water storage tank, along with a PennVEST requisition in the same amount. 

Additionally, Lebanon County Department of Emergency Services emergency management specialist Brianna Laliberte spoke to council on a FEMA Review Council report released May 7. 

Laliberte explained FEMA is being restructured to increase responsibility at state, county, and municipal levels for disaster response, recovery, and mitigation. “They want to accelerate federal assistance, because that has been slow, and increase transparency and efficiency of getting those funds to citizens,” she said. 

The report did not include a timeline of how FEMA intends to roll the changes out, as past documents had. When more details are released, Laliberte will inform local municipalities. At the state level, Pennsylvania Title 35, sections 73 and 75 pertaining to emergency management services code, are in the process of being updated for the first time since being drafted in 1978. 

In other news, council:

• Conditionally approved the Richland Railroad Diner expansion plans. Kerschner said the diner closed for business May 29, and they are working toward demolition. The diner will be rebuilt with seating capacity for 132 and is anticipated to reopen in March.
• Bricker noted the borough did not receive notification from the railroad that the railroad crossing would be closed to traffic for multiple days.
• Approved appointment of James Niethammer to the Millcreek-Richland Joint Authority board to occupy the vacant seat as assistant secretary for the remainder of the five-year term, ending Dec. 31, 2028.
• Discussed options for the next trash contract bid and tabled discussion until more information is obtained. 
• Tabled discussion on SALDO and SWMO ordinances.
• Approved hosting the annual End of Summer Back-to-School Party for the community on Aug. 15 at the park.
• Approved inclusion of a community outreach flyer with the second quarter water bill mailing.

Richland Borough Council will meet next on July 14 at 7 p.m. in the borough building at 5 Pine St., Richland.