Lackawanna County commissioners approve $3.57 million Montage Mountain resurfacing, bridge repairs and multiple contracts; appointments confirmed

The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 5 voted to award a $3,574,998.40 contract to Penzi Supply Inc. for resurfacing work on Montage Mountain Road and related segments, approved a $190,283 contract to repair the Poplar Street bridge in Mayfield and adopted a slate of other county contracts, audits and board appointments.

County Engineer Frank Suma told commissioners the Montage Mountain project covers about six centerline miles and is being handled in phases, with the current award covering the portion shown as “phase 1.” Suma said five bids were received and recommended the award to the lowest responsible bidder, Penzi Supply, at $3,574,998.40. Larry Lukasik, director of roads and bridges, said a separate pipe culvert in the remaining portion of Glenmarie National Boulevard requires replacement and permitting; that work will be a separate, next-year project so it does not delay the current paving contract.

Why it matters: the resurfacing covers a gateway corridor that serves local businesses and attractions. Commissioners said the investment aims to improve safety and support tourism and local commerce.

The board also approved a contract to T. Brennan Heavy Equipment to repair the Poplar Street bridge in Mayfield. Frank Suma said the work includes replacing concrete sidewalks and bridge barrier, removing an overlay, and making concrete deck repairs prior to final resurfacing. Six bids were received and T. Brennan submitted the low bid of $190,283.

In addition to the two construction contracts, the board approved several professional-service and intergovernmental items including audit engagements, a workers-compensation third-party administrator contract, a one-year maintenance agreement for the pension office’s check folder, a mural license agreement, cooperation with the Borough of Jessup on snow removal, and a number of board and authority appointments.

Votes at a glance (items adopted): - Award Montage Mountain resurfacing project to Penzi Supply Inc.; bid: $3,574,998.40 — Approved. - Award Poplar Street Bridge Repair Project to T. Brennan Heavy Equipment; bid: $190,283 — Approved. - Resolution approving county payables (General Fund $2,403,802.92; electronic fund transfers including payroll $6,299,211.60) — Approved. - Intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Borough of Jessup for snow removal and de-icing — Approved. - Engagement letter with Bradley T. Murray, CPA, LLC for Office of Youth and Family Services audits (three‑year term; $17,500/year; audits reimbursed at 80%) — Approved. - Purchase-of-service agreement with New Life Adolescents for residential services (dependent female children, ages 12–18) at $416.06 per diem; reimbursed at 60% — Approved. - Third‑party claims administrative services agreement with Claims Resolution Corporation (workers’ compensation) commencing immediately through 12/31/2027; $44,000 for 2025 — Approved. - Intergovernmental agreement with the City of Scranton to address community violence (see separate story for details) — Approved. - Engagement letter with Baker Tilly for Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting; one‑time fee $1,500 — Approved. - One‑year service/maintenance agreement with Paper Handling Equipment Plus Inc. for the Pension Office; $335 — Approved. - Mural authorization and license agreement with Scranton Tomorrow, the Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau, ATR Properties and artist Pen Scott Miller for a mural titled “Remembrance and Continuance: the Lenape story in Scranton” — Approved. - Appointments and reappointments to boards and authorities, including: Sherry Frable (Land Bank), Michelle Bannon (Land Bank), Commissioner Matt McGloin (Land Bank), Kristen Magnotta (reappointment, Land Bank), David Mehall (Performing Arts Authority), Michael Bartletti (Stadium Authority reappointment), and Gary Smedley (Stadium Authority) — Approved (several votes recorded with individual abstentions noted below).

Officials and public comment: county staff and department heads presented each item. Frank Suma and Larry Lukasik answered engineering questions on the paving and bridge items. Director Carrie Browning described the OYFS audit procurement; she said Bradley T. Murray was the sole respondent to the RFQ and the audit contract would cover 2024–2026 at $17,500 per year. Director Jack Judge explained the TPA procurement process for workers’ compensation, noting Claims Resolution recently acquired AmeriHealth’s claims operation that had served the county for more than 15 years.

Several commissioners offered remarks during the meeting. One commissioner thanked county engineers and road crews for the infrastructure work; another raised a procedural concern and abstained from some appointment votes, saying he had not been included in discussions about board appointments and that he would like to be involved going forward.

Public inquiries during the meeting included questions about the timetable for Montage Mountain phase 1 (county staff said work is expected to start in spring and be complete by year’s end) and the reimbursement rate for New Life Adolescents (Director Browning said the placement is reimbursed at 60% for that service). A resident asked about where ARPA funds for a separate community-violence initiative are being drawn from; staff said the community-violence consultant contract will be paid in part from American Rescue Plan Act funds and must be tracked and reported to federal authorities.

What’s next: work on approved contracts will proceed to procurement and construction scheduling. The board set no additional conditions in the motions; the culvert replacement on the remaining Glenmarie National Boulevard segment will be permitted separately and addressed in a future contract.

Ending: All listed measures passed by voice vote unless otherwise noted. One commissioner abstained on several board-appointment votes and said he will provide candidate recommendations in the future.