Council approves January invoices, schedules pool-design workshop amid questions about engineering costs and a contested bond payment

GREEN TREE, Pa. — The Borough Council on Feb. 3 approved January invoices totaling multiple fund payments and agreed to open the borough pool for the 2025 season while scheduling a public workshop to review alternate main-pool design revisions.

During consideration of the bills-to-pay, one council member objected to two bond-fund payments, including an $87,789.43 invoice described as payment to a design firm tied to the pool project, saying the firm had admitted to a data discrepancy that affected pool specifications. The objection did not block approval of the full slate of invoices.

The finance report recorded approved invoices for multiple funds, with line-item totals read into the record: general fund, storm-sewer fund, sanitary-sewer fund, capital projects, bond fund and fire department apparatus fund. A council member raised the bond-fund payment objection on grounds that design errors had already led to additional cost estimates for potential design changes.

Separately, the Public Facilities, Parks and Equipment Committee recommended proceeding with a partial plan for the 2025 pool season while the full reconstruction design is finalized. Committee chair Ms. Schweritz reported that because final specifications are still under discussion, bidding for full reconstruction will be delayed until late spring; the committee recommended opening the existing pool for the 2025 season and to keep it open at least through August pending construction timelines.

The council approved a motion to hold a public workshop at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 to present alternate revisions to the main-pool design and amenities. Committee staff said bidding would likely take place in late spring with potential contract awards by late June and a potential construction start in August, which informed the recommendation to open the pool while finishing design.

Council members also questioned overall engineering costs. One council member cited a $34,000 engineering charge tied to bathroom renovations and raised broader concern that the borough paid $376,000 in engineering fees in 2024, prompting calls to evaluate whether an in-house engineer should be considered.

Bathroom renovations are reported as mechanically complete with finishing work and tile corrections remaining; staff said the bathrooms should reopen within a few weeks. Officials noted a minor change order for plumbing associated with discovered issues during renovation work.

Council members discussed federal funding risk to larger infrastructure projects (notably the Trumbull Bridge), noting the borough has bond funding earmarked for projects but will monitor federal allocations and reassess financing priorities if necessary.

No formal amendment to construction contracts was reported. Staff committed to share updated cost information from engineers and to bring a risk assessment to the council as requested.

The council recorded the invoice approvals and the motion to schedule the Feb. 17 public workshop; the meeting minutes show one council member opposed the bond-fund payment but the full roll-call breakdown of yes/no votes for each fund payment was not specified in the transcript.