Township hears $55 million wastewater‑plant update: demolition, punch list and contractor disputes remain

Hampton Township officials told the council at the Sept. 18 meeting that the Allison Park Water Pollution Control Plant construction is substantially complete on the big items but will require months of punch‑list work and a multi‑year "shake‑out" period.

A construction representative briefed council that main construction is expected to be completed by winter with the majority of construction likely finished by spring, but a 24‑month shake‑out period is anticipated for smaller defects and warranty items. The representative described the project as a roughly $55,000,000 undertaking and said the team expects to finish demolition by the end of the calendar year; interior and garage work and paving may extend past that date. He said the project team counts roughly 50 small items on an ongoing punch list and that those items would be addressed through the contractor closeout process.

Council also discussed contractor disputes and objections to contract extensions. Staff described an outstanding objection from an entity identified in the transcript as "Veil" that the township intends to ignore; staff said another contractor, identified in the transcript variously as "Calista/Clista," cannot complete its work until the primary contractor (referred to in the transcript as "Meeley/Mealy") finishes certain structures and electrical work. Staff said they regard some written objections as posturing and that parties have agreed to sit down at contract completion to review any logistical claims.

Several operational details were reported: two circular digesters are in operation and have been online for about eight months, staff reported, and the project team has hydroseeded lower‑lying restoration areas near Pine Creek; recent rains have left some low spots holding water. The project manager noted a remaining minor roof leak in the new office/maintenance area that staff are investigating and said that some interior finish and grading tasks — including building a flood wall and related fill — remain necessary before final landscaping is complete.

Neighbors’ concerns about noise and demolition were addressed; staff said Saturday work may occur but not before 7 a.m. and that demolition‑related beeping should largely end when demolition is complete. Staff recommended parking and dress guidance for a public tour of the site to be held on Saturday.

Why it matters: the wastewater plant is a critical township infrastructure investment with multi‑year operational implications; outstanding contractor disputes and a multi‑year shake‑out period affect both nearby residents and long‑term plant reliability.

Provenance: construction report and Q&A with council beginning at the construction report segment of the meeting.