Harrison approves paving plans with money to spare — for now

Harrison intends to pave all or parts of 12 township streets this year, but a 13th will have to wait until its status is clarified.

The Harrison commissioners awarded a $352,000 contract this week that calls for repaving Broadview Boulevard, from Alabama Avenue to Argonne Drive and from Dallas to Montana avenues.

Other streets to be repaved are Dallas Avenue, Third Street, Harrison Avenue, Kingston Drive, Ivanhoe Street, Acee Drive, Jacqueline Drive, 12th Avenue, 10th/11th avenues alley and Municipal Drive.

The contract was awarded to Tresco Paving Corp.

“It’s well within the budget,” Commissioner Chuck Dizard said, referring to the $400,000 the commissioners allocated for paving this year.

The contract cost, $48,000 under budget, prompted Commissioner Eric Bengel to ask whether Randolph Road could be added to the project. Township Manager Amy Rockwell said the cost to pave Randolph was estimated at $33,000.

While that could fit into the project and still keep it under the $400,000 paving budget, Rockwell reminded the commissioners that the township has to come up with $72,000 in matching funds for state grants and might need the leftover money from paving to help pay for other projects.

That match is for a Small Water and Sewer Program grant earmarked to pay for extensive paving and sewer work on Harbison Street. The price tag for that work is expected to be $480,000.

Also, Solicitor Emily Mueller told commissioners they could not simply vote to add Randolph to the project because it was not part of the bid package. She said commissioners would have to reject the Tresco bid and the other bids received and then rebid the entire project with Randolph included.

Commissioners Chairman Gary Meanor said, all things considered, the commissioners should move ahead with the current project. He said if money becomes available, they could try to bid Randolph Road separately at a later date.