Infrastructure issues….
Posted by cmdaly on October 12, 2007
Infrastructure maintenance in the history of the Borough of Sayre seems to have been based on either the principle of benign neglect, or “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” Beginning in the early 1990’s, our Public Works personnel warned the Council of that day of serious issues with certain segments of our sewer system. The warnings were reissued in 2002, and finally, this year, the Council acted on the warning and initiated a long overdue sewer infrastructure program. Phase 1 concluded this past summer and cost us around $3.2 million. The overall project, or the entire system, will cost around $45 million in 2006 dollars according to our engineers.
If that were not more than enough, the Valley Joint Sewer Authority must upgrade their facility to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen input to the Susquehanna River. The upgrades must be in place by 2012, per the Chesapeake Bag Agreement 2000 and the Clean Water Act. Upgrades are estimated at around $10 million, 53% of which must be borne by Sayre Borough. Ouch.
We also have serious problems with our Public Works building, which in the eyes of a couple of building contractors who have look at it, needs to be torn down. Indeed, one contractor report reads more like a letter of condemnation. The roof leaks so badly that it’s easier and more efficient to replace the entire thing. But, the walls that support the roof sit on either nonexistent or illegal footers that sit well above the frost line. Which explains why a section of wall is slowly falling outward. The electrical system is beyond dangerous: no GFI circuits or explosion proof outlets. The earthen floor is contaminated by vehicle fluids over the many decades of use. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
I don’t think we will be able to secure a building permit for any repairs.
The best, most logical solution is demolition of the existing building and construction of a more efficient steel building. The problem: money. I think the early estimates range from $500,000 to $800,000. The other problem, some of my colleagues think a power wash and paint will fix the issue. Sigh…..
