Allegany County Public Works approves bridge materials, equipment purchases and a personnel replacement

Allegany County Public Works presented updates on multiple bridge projects and won board approval for several capital purchases Wednesday, including materials for two local bridges, a used asphalt paver and a Mack plow truck.

The department reported its bridge crew will move to County Route 36 to start a bridge project and expects to close that structure midnext week for demolition and reconstruction. “Our bridge crew is moving up to Counter 36 to start that bridge project,” said Mr. Windus, a Public Works staff member. The department said block deliveries are scheduled and that weather could delay the start by a few days.

The board was also told that the Belfast Bridge work has been delayed by a missing steel beam; officials said the beam is still expected in mid-to-late February and that, once installed, crews will proceed with framing, rebar and preparation for paving or concrete work.

Public Works requested and the board authorized awards for superstructure, substructure and related materials for upcoming local bridge projects. The department identified two local bridges for galvanized-steel superstructures and guide rail systems (referred to in the packet as “local bridge 26 0 1 and 15 14”) and named a precast concrete bridge superstructure vendor in the packet. County staff said the necessary funds are in the budget and recommended proceeding with the awards; the board approved the request.

The department also asked for permission to purchase a used asphalt paver (model year described in the packet as a 2015 unit) from a dealer noted in the staff packet. Staff said the county’s current paver is a 2012 model and the used unit has roughly half the hours, newer automation and slope control. After trade-in credit, staff said the purchase price would come from the Public Works budget; the board approved the purchase.

Separately, the board authorized purchase of a 2026 Mack Granite plow truck from Conway Beam Truck Group under an Onondaga contract for $316,424.10. Staff explained the county placed an order last year with a different vendor; that vendor failed to submit the order, requiring a new purchase this year. Staff said the county had already ordered the truck box and that the company supplying the 2026 model guaranteed delivery by spring.

The board also approved filling the engineering technician position vacated by Noah Logan, who accepted a position at the state Department of Transportation. Department staff noted Logan’s departure and requested authorization to recruit and fill that role and any subsequent vacancies that result.

Staff gave additional project updates: renovations at a property on Chamberlain (referred to as 55 Chamberlain) are in progress with moves planned within about 30 days, and an ongoing roof project is nearly complete with punch-list items awaiting suitable weather. Staff said building-controls work is finished and testing of power and fire panels is scheduled in the coming weeks.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes for 01/02/2025: moved by Mike Healy; seconded by Curran; approved. - Approval of minutes for 01/08/2025: moved by Demick; seconded by Byron; approved. - Permission to award bridge materials/contracts for upcoming local bridge projects: motion moved (mover not specified in the record); approved. - Purchase of used asphalt paver (model year described in packet as 2015): motion moved (mover not specified in the record); approved. - Purchase of 2026 Mack Granite plow truck from Conway Beam Truck Group under Onondaga contract for $316,424.10: moved by Dimock; second (not specified by name in the record); approved. - Authorization to fill engineering technician position (and subsequent vacancies): motion moved (mover not specified in the record); approved.

The meeting closed after a routine round of other updates and a motion to adjourn.